ESA vs DLA

“ESA” stands for “Employment and Support Allowance.” “DLA” stands for “Disability Living Allowance.” They are both allowances to help people who need financial help because they have some disability. Both of the allowances have different criteria for being claimed. The allowance paid is different from each other, and the reasons why these allowances are paid are different.

ESA (Employment and Support Allowance)

Employment and Support Allowance, or ESA, is provided to people who have some disability or illness and are unable to financially support themselves by working. It also includes support to those people who are able to work but need personalized help. The support provided gives a person access to personal advisers who are specially trained and services like employment, condition management , or training. The advisers and trainers help one cope with the disability and illness at work.

A medical assessment is involved in claiming ESA. This medical assessment is referred to as a “Work Capability Assessment.” This assessment focuses on what a person can do and helps in identifying the support needed for health-related problems. People who claim ESA are expected to prepare themselves for work. If the disability affects a person’s ability severely, then the financial support is increased.

After identifying the need for ESA, one can claim it by telephone, text phone, or online. Different rates are given for different disabilities after assessment.

DLA (Disability Living Allowance)

A Disability Living Allowance is provided for people who have some type of mental or physical disability or both. It is a benefit which is tax-free for adults as well as for children. It is given to people who are 65 years or under when they claim it. (If someone is above 65 years of age, a special allowance called “Attendance Allowance” is provided.) This is different from ESA as it does not involve employment help but is for helping someone who needs help in walking or has sleep disorders, etc. which make them unable to take care of themselves. DLA is for people who are working as well as those who are not working due to their disability.

There are special rules applied to people who are terminally ill with a progressive disease. For these people, the claim is made easier and quicker to claim. Usually, no medical examination is necessary for claiming DLA but sometimes it is required.

Different rates are given to different people depending upon the severity of the disability. DLA can be claimed by phone or online.

Summary:

1. “ESA” stands for “Employment and Support Allowance”; “DLA” stands for “Disability Living Allowance.”
2. ESA  is provided to people who have some disability or illness and are unable to financially support themselves by working; a Disability Living Allowance is provided for people who have some type of mental or physical disability or both and is applicable for both working and non-working adults. It is for children also.
3. For ESA a medical assessment is done; for DLA, usually no medical assessment is required.

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