Employment and support allowance is given to help with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
You can apply for 'new style' ESA if you are under state pension age and you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work, but you also need to have both worked as an employee or been self-employed, and paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last two to three years.
You cannot get new style ESA if you claim Jobseeker's allowance or statutory sick pay, but you could get it if you receive Universal Credit at the same time. However, if you get both benefits your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by the amount you get for new style ESA.
