Pip and Esa

crazynan57

Hi all, hope everyone is good,

I have been in receipt of pip for nearly two years, I haven't been able to work in all that time, someone mentioned to me that I may qualify for ESA, I have today applied online is this something that others are in receipt of alongside Pip. Would I need to get my GP to issue a fit note straight away or do I wait until I have heard back from ESA? Also would I need to continually send fit notes weekly?

Thank you.

poppy123456

To be entitled to New style ESA payments will depend on your NI contributions in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23. If you haven't worked for nearly 2 years then you may not qualify. Yes, you will need fit notes. Once a decision is made on your entitlement you will be contacted. This could take a few weeks.

Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit? If you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

crazynan57

Thank you, I did check my NI record online and it said full, maybe because of my age? I'm 60 this year.

poppy123456

It's the last 2 tax years that count for New style ESA. Have you been claiming any other benefits other than PIP in those 2 years?

crazynan57

Yes checked last 2 years, full, no I have only had pip, I did have carers allowance for my uncle who has sadly passed away now, could that be where my NI contributions have come from? The reason I am only now applying for Esa is because someone asked me whyi wasn't getting it alongside Pip, I didn't even know that it was possible, I hope I have done the right thing applying!

poppy123456

Yes the NI credits will be from Carers allowance. When did your carers allowance stop? You haven't done anything wrong by applying so please don't worry about that.

Have you also used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit.

crazynan57

Carers allowance stoped in Sept 2023. I haven't looked at UC as my partner works full time so didn't think I would qualify.

Thank you so much for replying to me your answer are so helpful.

poppy123456

Normally you need to have paid NI contributions in the 2 previous tax years, which for a claim now would be 2021/22 and 2022/23.

However, when claiming carers allowance one of the conditions of the requirements is relaxed and means you will have needed to have paid 26 weeks in any tax year in your life.

The only issue I see here is the benefit years change on the first Sunday in January. This means before then the relevant tax years would have been 2020/21 and 2021/22. You stopped claiming CA in September 2023 so there maybe issues with that. Had you claimed ESA before the change in benefit years then you may have been ok.

However, DWP do not always get this correct and they may refuse your claim. The relaxation rules when claiming Carers allowance are complicated to say the least. If they do refuse then I'd advise you to get some expert advice from an agency near you.

crazynan57

Thank you.