There are two types of Employment and Support Allowance, the new style ESA and contribution based and income-based ESA.
If you have less than 3 children, you can only apply for the new style ESA.
If you have 3 or more children, you can only apply for the contribution-based and income-based ESA.
You may be able to claim Universal Credit at the same time as the new style ESA or instead of the new style ESA.
The easiest and quickest way to apply for ESA is by phone. The telephone numbers for new style ESA and contribution based and income-based ESA are as follows:
New Style ESA Phone Number
The new style ESA phone number is 0800 328 5644.
The new style ESA textphone number is 0800 328 1344.
The new style ESA phone number is available from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Contribution-based and income-related ESA Phone Number
The ESA phone number is 0800 055 6688.
The ESA textphone number is 0800 023 4888.
The ESA Welsh Language phone number is 0800 012 1888.
The ESA NGT text relay phone number is 18001 then 0800 023 4888.
The ESA phone number is available from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.