ESA benefit

lesamo

Looking for some detail information on applying for contribution based ESA. Wife has a history of illness which is making her to take time off work over the years and the occupational health assessment has asked if she wants to be put on ESA.
Didn’t discuss the details with them as at the time didn’t want to go on it. Now it is getting very bad hence seeing what the financial implication will be.
What will she get as I am in full time employment. Can she get any benefit purely on her own national insurance contribution and will she be allowed to work one or two days.

poppy123456

No one is automatically placed onto ESA, you have to claim it. It would be New style ESA that she would need to claim. She will need to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2019 to March 2021.

Has she claimed SSP from her employer? If she's entitled to it then she needs to claim this first for 28 weeks. ESA can't be paid at the same time as SSP. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

3 months before the SSP ends she can start a claim for NsESA, she will need her SSP1 form from her employer and a fit note from her GP. Once the SSP ends the ESA will start. It pays £77/week. If placed into the Support Group this increases from week 14 to £117.60/week. If it takes longer to make that decision she will be owed money from week 14. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#how-to-apply

lesamo

Thanks Poppy
Without reading the links you have given. Can you answer the following.
She can apply and it won’t have any affect as I work full time. Does it take into consideration any savings. Mine or her.
She works 27 hours a week for a reputable company so her NI should be up to date.
What is the criteria to be put into a support group.
Thanks in advance.

poppy123456

It's not means tested so you working, savings/capital do not affect the amount she's entitled to. ONly pension of more than £85/week affect it and will reduce the ESA by 50p for every £1 over £85. It's based on NI contributions.

If she's working 27 hours/week she will not be able to claim. Permitted work rules are you must work less than 16 hours per week and earn no more than £152/week. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet

Has she claimed SSP from her employer for 28 weeks?  You didn't answer that question. SSP pays more than ESA for the first 13 weeks. It will very likely take longer for a decision to made on her work capability assessment too so financially it's better to claim SSP.

Support Group criteria is here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/support-group-descriptors

poppy123456

Does she claim PIP? If not, depending on how her conditions affect her, she maybe entitled. It's not means tested so other income/savings do not affect it. It's not about being able to work either, people claim PIP and work. However, if the work you do contradicts the reasons for your claim then it can go against you.

Details in links. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/