Good afternoon, please could someone advise me? I have spina bifida, a stoma and am a full time wheelchair user. I work 3 days a week but am struggling with this. My husband died 15 years ago when my daughter was 2 so I receive widows parents allowance and will do until the end of August 2025.
i know that I am not entitled to new style esa while receiving this benefit but I’m not sure if I can carry on working until this time.
I know that I have to have paid enough NI contributions to receive new style esa but if I was to give up working this year would I then be eligible to claim esa next August or do I have to have been receiving NI contributions right before I put my esa claim in?
I have worked since I was 16 and am now 50 if that makes any difference.
Thank you in advance.