New Style ESA but no payment?

daisydoo123

Hello, please can I ask about NESA.

I’ve applied for NESA (about 3 months ago) I’ve heard nothing except for a request for an updated sick note, which I’ve sent.

I called them today and they said a desicion has been made that they will ‘tick’ the box so that I get pension contributions but I am not entitled to any money. I asked what this desicion was based on and he said he didn’t know. I asked if I would get a letter in the post confirming this desicion and why and he said none had been sent.

I don’t understand why I’ve been put in a support group but I don’t receive any payment !?

Thank you!

daisydoo123

I meant New Style ESA. They also said I could apply for UC instead but I said that’s means tested so I won’t get it, which is why I applied for NSESA in the first place.

poppy123456

To be entitled to payments for ESA you must have the correct NI contributions in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23. You must have worked at some point during those years.

if there's no entitlement you will receive NI credits based on limited capability for work. You would not have been placed into the Support Group yet because before this happens you will be sent the ESA50 form to fill in and return with all your supporting evidence. This form will be sent to you regardless of whether you qualify for payments or not.

Have you worked at all in those tax years? There is an exception to that, such as if you were claiming carers allowance but that's complicated.

daisydoo123

hello Poppy, thank you for replying. I have full NI contributions since 2001. I also filled in the health form EA50 and sent evidence of my medication list and all the evidence they asked for with my original application. I was waiting for a health call or appointment as the next step but all they asked for was a new sick note which I sent for a further 6 months.

daisydoo123

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poppy123456

A full years since 2001 doesn’t mean there’s entitlement. Have you been working or claiming a benefit such as child benefit or carers allowance?

If you were working PAYE you would need class 1. If self employed you would need class 2. Class 3 from something like child benefit does not entitle you to NsESA.

daisydoo123

Hello! I’ve been working full time on PAYE for at least 7 years but I also have 2 children who I get child benefit for.

Thank you for replying!

daisydoo123

I’ve been paying class 1 NI.

poppy123456

It's the last 2 tax years that count as I advised above. You can see the requirements here. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

daisydoo123

Thank you Poppy. I have read through the link and I’ve definitely paid class 1 NI continuously for the last 2 years. I got SSP for 12 weeks then applied for NS ESA at the end of 12 weeks. I’m not sure why he mentioned the support group on the phone as that would suggest my claim was approved if they put me into a group?

poppy123456

The Support Group doesn't mean payments have been approved. You can still be placed into the Support Group when it s NI credits only claim. I would have expected you to have heard something by now about whether or not you're entitled to payments. Usually they send a decision letter out.

I'd advise you to ring them again on Monday.

daisydoo123

Thank you Poppy, he did say on the phone I was in the support group but had no payments. Do you think he could have been wrong?

I might ask my macmillian nurse to help appeal it.

Thank you.

poppy123456

Yes they could have been wrong but I would have expected you to have heard from ESA by now telling you where or not your qualify for payments. You can't appeal anything until you know what that decision was. Please ring them on Monday to ask them again.

Yes, Macmilian are very good with advice and support for benefits.