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   > Social Security Agency  > SSA projects and initiatives  > Employment and Support Allowance 

Key facts about Employment and Support Allowance

The key things you need to know about Employment and Support Allowance.
 

Currently affects new customers only

Employment and Support Allowance has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds, for new customers . Existing Incapacity Benefit or Income Support customers will initially continue to receive their existing benefits, so long as they satisfy the entitlement conditions.
 

Personalised support

Employment and Support Allowance offers personalised support and financial help if people are not working due to an illness or disability. It gives people access to a specially trained personal adviser from Department for Employment and Learning and a wide range of further services.
 

Medical assessment

Central to Employment and Support Allowance are the new medical assessments which examine what people can do, rather than what they can’t, and identify what personal support they might need.
 

Work-focused interviews

Most people claiming Employment and Support Allowance are expected to take appropriate steps to help prepare for work, including attending a series of work-focused interviews with a personal adviser.
 

Support Group

Under Employment and Support Allowance people with an illness or disability that means they are unable to undertake any form of work-related activity receive increased financial support and are not be expected to prepare for a return to work.
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