There are 2 types of ESA:

Contribution based which you can only get if you've paid relevant national insurance contributions for last 2 tax years. Partners income and savings are ignored. Paid for maximum of 1 year in the Work Related Group. Also known as new style ESA. This can be paid at same time as Universal Credit.

Or Income Related which is if the above doesn't apply. But partners income and savings taken into account. BUT depending on your postcode you may not be able to claim this type of ESA because Universal Credit is replacing it.

Universal Credit is, quite frankly, a nightmare. If you claim this I'll be happy to elaborate.

Your best option is to use the Benefits Calculator on www.turn2us.org.uk.

I've got 16 years experience working with benefits as an assessor and an advocate for claimants.

Hi @A MyFibroTeam Member just thought I'd let you know that NEW claims for Income Support because of sickness no longer exists. It was replaced with Employment Support Allowance (Income Related), or Universal Credit. Eligibility criteria for either of them is currently dependant upon your postcode.

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A MyFibro...

I've got no idea Lee as I'm a single parent of a 15 year old. Xx

I applied , filled the form out , got given a work related cateogry had ro hand sick lines in . After 13 weeks i had a medical to see if i remained in the work related or put in it support group. I ended up having been awarded the support group.

Not sure if thats any help.
I would look into it more on the DWP website as there is a new style of ESA not sure if its out yet

theres a very good web site called "Benefits and Work" which is entirely independent although you have to pay a small annual subscription and also helps u to apply for benefit, ESA etc. u can also go onto the official site, gov.co.uk i think which will tell u how to qualify and apply for ESA (not sure how old u are but if you are older ESA is what used to be the old "Sickness Benefit". one of its biggest downsides is it isnt awarded longter but can be reviewed every year and u ideally need the backing of a good gp to support your application but i think "Qualification" for it in the UK depends on how many National Insurance contributions you may have made. Also if you dont for any reason qualify and are on your own or on a lower income, u can also apply for "Income Support". go on the website of the government one if u can and if not u can ring up your local Job Centre and speak to an adviser there and also ask them to send you the right forms