Contribution based ESA and carers credit

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Tfo98

hi everyone.

I recently applied for CB ESA having had limited capability to work due to a knee injury. The claim was disallowed as the claim was for 2024/25 and I didn’t have contributions for 2021/22 despite me having full years for 2022/23 and 2023/24 (bizarre rules but that’s another story!)

I was a full-time student in tax year 2021/22 and caring for my grandmother who was in receipt of attendance allowance, but as I was in FT education I couldn’t claim carers allowance.

I was wondering if a retrospective claim for carers credit for the tax year 2021/22 (if possible) would entitle me for ESA as I’d have satisfied the NI credits for that tax year if awarded.

any advice would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

poppy123456

New style ESA is a contributions based benefit and CB based benefits entitlement has always depended on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years. A claim now would be based on tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Carers credits are class 3 NI credits and count towards your state pension only. This will not help entitlement to New style ESA. For this reason I'm afraid that DWP are correct.

Have you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? It's a means tested benefit so if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you need to claim as a couple and entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances.