The ESA Points System
The DWP uses a points system to assess whether you have limited capability for work, and therefore whether you are entitled to ESA. If you score 15 points or more over the following 17 activities, you will be entitled to ESA. The DWP will also look at whether you have limited capability for work related activity, also known as the support group.
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Physical functions
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1. Moving around
Cannot, without the aid of another person, mobilise more than 50 metres - 15 points
Cannot, without the aid of another person, climb or descend 2 steps, even with a handrail - 9 points
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Cannot, without the aid of another person, mobilise more than 100 metres- 9 points
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Cannot, without the aid of another person, mobilise more than 200 metres- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
2. Standing and sitting
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Cannot, without the aid of another person, stand up from a chair and move to a chair next to it - 15 points
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Cannot, for the majority of the time, stand, sit, or a combination of both for more than 30 minutes- 9 points
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Cannot, for the majority of the time, stand, sit, or a combination of both for more than 1 hour- 6 points
None of the above apply- 0 points
3. Reaching
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Cannot raise either arm, for example to put something in the top pocket of a coat - 15 points
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Cannot raise either arm to your head, for example to put a hat on- 9 points
Cannot raise either arm above your head, for example to put something on a shelf above you- 6 points
None of the above apply- 0 points
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4. Picking up and moving an object
Cannot pick up and move a 0.5 litre carton full of liquid, for example a pint of milk- 15 points
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Cannot pick up and move a 1 litre carton full of liquid- 9 points
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Cannot pick up and move a light bulky object like a cardboard box- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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5. Manual dexterity
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Cannot press a button with either hand, or cannot turn a page of a book with either hand- 15 points
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Cannot pick up something the size of a £1 coin with either hand- 15 points
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Cannot use a pen or pencil to make a meaningful mark- 9 points
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Cannot use a keyboard or mouse with either hand- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
6. Communicating
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Cannot, by speaking, writing or typing, convey a simple message, for example, 'Stop! There's a car coming'- 15 points
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Has significant difficulty conveying a simple message to a stranger through speaking, writing or typing- 9 points
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Has some difficulty conveying a simple message to a stranger through speaking, writing or typing- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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7. Understanding
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Cannot understand information, such as a fire escape sign- 15 points
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Has significant difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment- 15 points
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Has some difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
8. Getting around safely
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Cannot navigate around familiar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment.- 15 points
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Cannot safely complete a potentially hazardous task such as crossing the road, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment- 15 points
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Cannot navigate around unfamiliar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment- 9 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
9. Controlling bowels and bladder
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Experiences either loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder, or substantial leakage of the contents of a collecting device, sufficient to require cleaning and a change in clothing at least once per month- 15 points
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The majority of time is at risk of loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder, sufficient to require cleaning and a change of clothing, if not able to reach a toilet quickly- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
10. Staying conscious when awake
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At least once a week, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration- 15 points
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At least once a month, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration- 6 points
None of the above apply- 0 points
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Mental functions
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1. Learning tasks
Cannot learn how to complete a simple task, such as making a phone call- 15 points
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Cannot learn anything beyond a simple task, such as making a phone call- 9 points
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Cannot learn anything beyond a moderately complex task, such as the steps involved in operating a washing machine to clean clothes- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
2. Hazard awareness
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Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of injury to self or others, or damage to property or possessions meaning that the claimant requires supervision for the majority of the time to maintain safety- 15 points
Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of injury to self or others, or damage to property or possessions meaning that the claimant frequently requires supervision to maintain safety- 9 points
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Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of injury to self or others, or damage to property or possessions meaning that the claimant occasionally requires supervision to maintain safety- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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3. Starting and finishing tasks
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Cannot reliably start or complete two personal actions one after the other, because of impaired mental function- 15 points
Cannot reliably start or complete two personal actions one after the other, because of impaired mental function, for the majority of the time- 9 points
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Frequently cannot start or complete two personal actions one after the other, because of impaired mental function- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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4. Coping with change
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Cannot cope with any change which means that you cannot manage day-to-day life- 15 points
Cannot cope with minor planned change, for example a pre-arranged change to an appointment time, which means that day-to-day life is significantly more difficult- 9 points
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Cannot cope with minor unplanned change, for example an appointment time changing on the day, which means that day-to-day life is significantly more difficult - 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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5. Getting about
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Cannot get to any place outside of the home, even if it's familiar- 15 points
Cannot get to any place outside of the home, even if it's familiar, without being accompanied by another person- 9 points
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Cannot get to an unfamiliar place without being accompanied by another person- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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6. Coping with social engagement
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No social engagement is possible because of difficulty relating to others or significant distress- 15 points
Social engagement with someone unfamiliar is not possible because of difficult relating to others or significant distress- 9 points
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Social engagement with someone unfamiliar is usually not possible because of difficulty relating to others or significant distress- 6 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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7. Behaving appropriately
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On a daily basis has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour- 15 points
Frequently has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour- 15 points
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Occasionally has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour- 9 points
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None of the above apply- 0 points
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For more information, or for help claiming benefits, please get in touch with our benefits team. We provide initial information and advice to everyone. We provide members of the Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group with more detailed advice, casework and representation.
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Email: benefits@sheffieldmegroup.co.uk
Tel: +44 114 253 6700