Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook 2024/25Part 1: Benefits and tax creditsChapter 4: Employment and support allowance 5. Claiming employment and support allowance
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5. Claiming employment and support allowance
Check how to claim employment and support allowance (ESA) at gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim.
You claim contributory ESA for yourself only.
You are usually interviewed after you claim. You must provide medical certificates from your GP until you are assessed under the work capability assessment.
Claims for ESA can be backdated for up to three months.