Hi, my name is shivers! Can I stay on ESA indefinitely?

shivers
shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
edited October 2021 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi hello everyone.
Can I stay on esa indefinitely.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Hi,

    It depends which ESA you're claiming, whether it's New style ESA/contirbutions based or Income Related.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    If it is new style ESA or contribution based ESA then it can continue indefinitely if you are in the Support Group.

    If it is income based ESA you will be advised at some time in the future that your award will end and you will be invited to claim Universal Credit instead.
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Thankyou poppy 123456 and calcotti.
    I am contribution based and on the support group.
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Can you only get esa if you are on someones books.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    shivers said:
    Can you only get esa if you are on someones books.
    I’m not sure what you mean by this. New style ESA/contributions based ESA is a NI contributions benefit so a person can only claim it if they’ve paid the correct amount of NI contributions in the 2 tax years prior to your claim. If a person was to claim it now then they would need NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020.
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Oh ta for that. Im not sure
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You said you’re already claiming ESA in the Support Group so i don’t understand the reason for your questions. 
    Are you saying you’re still employed by your employer but you no longer work there? 
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Yes. Poppy123456
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    So if they ask me to leave, what is my position ?
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    shivers said:
    Can you only get esa if you are on someones books.
    No. Most people receiving ESA are not employed.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    shivers said:
    So if they ask me to leave, what is my position ?
    Your position in respect of what? In respect of ESA it makes no difference.
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Hello @shivers, I just wanted to wish you a warm welcome to the community. I hope you are getting on okay today!
  • Crazyraven
    Crazyraven Online Community Member Posts: 18 Connected
    I got the supported type with no health assessments for life, at least until I retire, with fear of my epilepsy I've never been accepted into a job so I had no contributions and I have DLA/PIP on high care
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Hi everyone. I had breast cancer 9 years ago. I was put on esa with support group. I have had very bad side effects from chemo etc. And have been on esa ever since. I never left my job so am still on their books. 
    So i suppose im asking if i leave my job and stop being on their books, what benifit should i be claiming. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    shivers said:

    So i suppose im asking if i leave my job and stop being on their books, what benifit should i be claiming. 
    You're already claiming a benefit, which is ESA and leaving your job because you're still on the "books" will make no difference.
  • shivers
    shivers Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener
    Thankyou for that

Categories