Employment and support allowance
Anyone wishing to claim employment and support allowance (ESA) should go to the Gov.uk website.
Summary
Employment and support allowance (ESA) offers financial support and personalised support to those who are unable to work because of a health condition or disability. People may be eligible for ESA if they are under state pension age, not getting statutory sick pay or maternity pay, or are not getting jobseeker’s allowance.
From 2016 income-related ESA (IR) began to be replaced by universal credit (UC) and stopped completely from 27 January 2021. Those still claiming legacy ESA will continue to do so, unless there is a change of circumstances, which would mean they move to UC.
The latest figures are for quarter two (June to August) of 2025/26.
- In Lancashire-12, there were 22,006 claimants of ESA, a decrease of 29.1% compared to the previous year.
- In Lancashire-14, there were 28,698 claimants, a decrease of 31.0% compared to the previous year.
- The highest number of claimants was in Blackpool (3,829), followed by Blackburn with Darwen (2,864), Preston (2,637), Lancaster (2,222), and Wyre (2,221). Ribble Valley (796) had the lowest.
ESA claimants by health condition
- In Lancashire-12, 39.9% of ESA claimants were classified under the health condition of 'mental and behavioural disorders' (England = 42.9%).
- In Lancashire-14, 41.0% of claimants were classified under the health condition of 'mental and behavioural disorders'.
ESA benefit mean weekly amounts
- Blackpool (£144.26), Hyndburn (£143.99) and Blackburn with Darwen (£143.04) had the highest total mean ESA weekly amounts in Lancashire-14 (England = £141.26). Ribble Valley had the lowest mean weekly amount at £126.09.
Source: People on employment support allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions via Stat-Xplore.
Page updated 18 February 2026