2. Who is eligible
As new claims cannot be made for income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), most students getting income-related ESA will be those who were already on this before starting the course, and who are eligible for income-related ESA as a student. If you cannot claim income-related ESA, you may be able to get universal credit instead (see
Chapter 18).
To qualify for ESA, you must meet all the basic conditions.
1s1 WRA 2007•You have limited capability for work (see
here).
•You are aged 16 or over and under pension age.
•You are in Great Britain (although some absences are allowed – see CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook for more details).
•You satisfy the rules for contributory ESA (see below) or income-related ESA (see
here).
•You are not working, although some ‘permitted work’ is allowed. See CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook for more details.