Refused ESA

nanann

I'm looking for advice on my current predicament. Have just been refused ESA (contribution based) due to not having paid nic or been credited with enough NICs. I began working p/t in September 2015 for 7.5 hrs a week (earning £54 p week) due to being a carer for my daughter who was on DLA. Last march I remarried and changed my job to 15 hrs a week (earning £112.50 p week) . My daughter lost her DLA when it changed to pip when she reached 16 (she has epilepsy) and she didn't want to contest it as the pip assesment really put her off.
I started to develop psoriasis on the soles of my feet last summer, I continued working by bandaging my feet up and just getting on with it ( I'm a lone cleaner in a two storey office block at night) up until a few weeks ago when I could barely walk with my feet splitting open. My gp gave me a fit note but didn't qualify for SSP from work as earnings weren't high enough. Was advised to apply for contributory ESA which I did and apparently don't qualify for due to nics. I now have psoriasis on my left hand and also up the sides of my feet as well as the soles making it impossible to go back to work. I have no income from anywhere and was told by a woman at DWP that my husband has to keep me. Honestly don't know what to do, been looking into it and from what I can tell is I've missed out on paid nic for the sake of earning 50p a week under the low wage threshold. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

JennysDad

Hello @nanann and a very warm welcome to the community. Very sorry we haven't got back to you sooner.
Not a benefits advisor, there's not a lot I can tell you immediately, but we do have specialists here and I am going to refer your post 'upwards' to them Hopefully they will get in touch with you soon.
I wish so much that I could do more.
For now, bear with us, and don't hesitate to ask any other questions you might have.
Warmest best wishes to you,
Richard
@JennysDad

nanann

Thank you x

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi nanann,

I have answered your queries in your other post, 'ESA claim turned down'. Good luck with it.

Will