Hi, my name is activeadventurer2025! Turned down for ESA due to lack of NI contributions.

activeadventurer2025

Hi guys, i am going through one of the most stressful times of my life. In the last year i have gone through so much with my deteriorating health that i truly don't know where to begin. I have suffered from COPD since age 14, and have gone onto have two massive heart attacks, and now i have got to look forward to a double hip replacement. Over the last 11 weeks, i have been fighting to get ESA and Pip. My ESA claim has been an absolute minefield and now i have formerly being told that i don't qualify for it!! Their reason stating i haven't paid enough national contributions? I only found this out today after pressing them hard for answers. Now, as for my Pip? I have a phone assessment on 17th March and i am now seriously worried that i am going to fail it, because of what happened with my ESA claim. I hate the whole system, it just isn't working for normal folk.

Kimi87

For new claims eligibility for New Style ESA is based on having made sufficient NI Contributions through work in the last two-three years (or through another benefit that gives Class 1 or 2 NI Contributions).

Have you looked into eligibility for Universal Credit?

PIP is based solely on your health problems and how the affect you in terms of day to day activities.

Have you familiarised yourself with the descriptors and points?

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

activeadventurer2025

Kimmy87, thanks for the insights, and thank you for reaching out. I need to really familiarise myself with the points system. My real issues are that i have Osteoarthritis in my spin and legs which is causing life changes, which i hate. The stress, is also causing me to have far more absences and i am forgetting names and things i am supposed to do. My partner, Sarah says that she is worried every time i go near the cooker to prepare meals, as i often walk away and forget!! 😓

Albus_Scope

Hey there @activeadventurer2025 and welcome to the community.

The current benefits systems really are such a nightmare to navigate, many of us here have gone through the same thing and can empathise. PIP is quite different to ESA, so I'd agree with Kimmy and make sure you've familiarised yourself with the descriptors and make some notes for the assessment, this will really help you in the long run.

And remember, if you cannot do the activity safely, in a reasonable time, or repeatedly, for 51% of the time, then you're classed as being unable to do that specific activity. Try and be specific with numbers, so say "4 out of 7 days" instead of most days. Hopefully this helps a bit. 😊

activeadventurer2025

Thank you for reaching out. The system we have for benefits is antiquated and needs urgent change. 11 weeks for me to hear about ESA? Totally wrong!! Pip, 20 weeks? Wrong in everyway

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/996760#Comment_996760

Hi very sorry to hear of your situation.

I just want to wish you a very warm welcome to the community.

activeadventurer2025

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/996812#Comment_996812

Thank you. Just very worn out and so down about all this!!