PIP and Esa

JohnnyT

My wife in receiving both elements of PIP , higher rates and this was awarded 2 years ago for a period of  10 years. She has MS and had been paid long term sick by her employers for the last 3 and a half years and paid NI contributions. She is to receive severance from her employers shortly and finished up. Will she automatically be eligible for contributions based ESA as she has already been assessed under the PIP criteria, without further interviews etc.

Thank you in anticipation

Johnnyt

CockneyRebel

Hi Johnny and welcome

Unfortunately ESA and PIP are separate benefits, there is no automatic eligibility 

JohnnyT

Thank you for you kind words Mr Rebel.

Do you think my wife will need assessing medically again or will they be content to rely on the PIP medical assessment. It seems mad to arrange a further assesment when she was fully assesed recently for PIP and received a "lifetime", or now 10 year award.

I am wondering if the trauma my wife would go through would be worthwhile.

Regards,

Johnnyt (Northern Rebel)

CockneyRebel

the criteria for each, although they seem similar, are different. So, sorry to say that a new assessment will be required. The best I can offer is to take the self test and supply as much relevant evidence as possible

poppy123456

Claiming Contributions based ESA will also depend on her NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years. You'll also need to check what's in your area, if it's a full universal credit area then it's new style ESA she needs to claim.

Pippa_Alumni

Welcome to the community, @JohnnyT!