What are the groups of ESA?

There are three decisions the DWP can make about your ESA claim, as they could decide:

• To give you ESA and put you into the work-related activity group (WRAG),
• To give you ESA and put you into the support group, or
• You are fit for work and should not get ESA.

Work-related activity group (WRAG)

• You will have to attend regular interviews with your work coach
• Prepare to work in the future by writing a CV and improving your skills
• ‘New Style’ and contribution-based ESA last for 365 days if you are in a work-related activity group

Support Group

• You do not have to go to interviews or take part in the Work Programme.
• If you get contribution-based ESA, you can get it as long as you meet the criteria for the support group.
• You will get an additional amount of money on top of the basic ESA rate from the 14^th week of your claim. If it takes the DWP longer than this to decide which group to put you in, they will backdate the money.