ESA

Shediff

Hi folks, I had to give up work in 2014 due to ill health and I really don’t trust DWP, I think I was entitled to income related and contributory ESA for the first year. Could anyone confirm the criteria for that please because the ESA won’t. Thank you 😊 

poppy123456

HI,

Contributions based is where you've worked and paid enough NI contributions in the 2 years before your claim started.

Income related is means tested and household income, savings/capital, pensions and partner working are all things they look to be able to claim this.

Pippa_Alumni

Welcome to the community, @Shediff!

Shediff

Thank you 😊
My understanding is that in some cases you can claim both income and contributory for the first year, if eligible do you not the criteria for that.

Thanks again 

poppy123456

poppy123456 said:

HI,

Contributions based is where you've worked and paid enough NI contributions in the 2 years before your claim started.

Income related is means tested and household income, savings/capital, pensions and partner working are all things they look to be able to claim this.

The criteria is here and it's for both. If you're entitled to Contributions based this will always come first and this is paid for 365 days unless you were placed into the Support Group and it's paid for as long as you remain in the group.

The Income related top up as stated above will depend on all those factors. If any of those apply to you then this will affect any income related top up.