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ESA Contribution Based Second Condition.

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Halim
Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi all, 

I am new to all of this, and I am currently in the process of applying for ESA. 
I would like clarification/insight in to a few issues. 

Firstly, the contribution ESA.
I have contributed enough national insurance in the last two years to be able to qualify. But it is the second contribution condition that I'm finding tricky to understand...
  • Second contribution condition - in both of the last two complete tax years, you must have paid or been credited with, Class 1 or 2 contributions to the value of 50 times the lower earnings limit.
I'm unsure if I meet this condition. I received a pay off/ill health redundancy from work in Sep 2017, and paid almost £300 in NI in the mentioned tax year (2017/2018). I had been on long term sick prior to this date. With my last date of no SSP in January 2017. I have not claimed income support or any other benefits between September 2017 and now. Does this mean that I won't have received class 1 or 2 contributions for the last tax year (2017/18), despite paying a large lump sum of NI? And therefore not meet the second contribution condition. 

I think I am ultimately asking if I will have provided enough contribution in the 2017/18 tax year or will there be a gap in contributions? 

Thanks in advance. 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi,

    You'll need to check your NI contributions to see if there's any gaps. https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    Hi Poppy, 

    Thank you. I used the calculator yesterday. I wanted to see the contribution for the year 2017/18, but is says it is not available at present. I can however see all the prior years. Prior to the tax year 17/18 I have 6 years continued NI. But my problem is that I may not meet the second contribution condition. 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    You can apply, the least they can do is say no. You'll need a fit/sick note from your GP to be able to claim ESA. You also need to look what's in your area. If it's a full Universal credit area then it will be New style contributions based ESA that you'll need to claim. If not then it's the old ESA that you need to claim. Different phone number for each benefit.

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    Thank you. That is what I thought was just to apply, but I was just hoping to know if I was eligible before calling. So I knew what position I was in, and simply just to comprehend it all a little better for myself. It would be the old style ESA, when I checked yesterday online UC wasn't fully available in my area. 

    Thank you. 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    Do you live with a partner that works? If not, depending on household income/savings then you maybe entitled to income related, if you can't claim Contributions based.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    No I don't. But I do live in professionals shared accommodation, with communal space being shared between occupants. If I am still unsure about the second condition of the contribution based ESA, and may qualify for income related...do I apply for both at the same time? Or do I put one claim in, wait for decision then claim the other? 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    Tick both boxes Contributions based and income related. Living in shared accommodation won't affect a claim for means tested benefits.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    Thanks. Sounds like I should tick both boxes and let the DWP decide. In regards to other housemates, do I put them down on my form as non-dependents? Or not at all?  We all have a separate tenancy. But I don't want something to be undeclared that should have been declared.
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    Contributions based will automatically be paid first, even if you did qualify for income related.

    No, you don't put your housemates down because they're just housemates and not non dependents. Their income won't affect any means tested benefits you can claim. They are totally separate.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    That all makes sense. Thank you for clarifying, it's really appreciated. 
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  • Halim
    Halim Community member Posts: 16 Listener
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    Hi Poppy, 
    I'm currently filling in the ESA1 form on the computer (where you can type in the text box). I am unable to tick both the income and contribution claim box. It seems to be an either/or thing. I'm just checking I am able to claim both at the same time? 
    If so, shall I just tick the both boxes in pen? 

    Thanks in advance. 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,994 Disability Gamechanger
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    To claim ESA if you're not in  full Universal credit area then you claim by ringing ESA and not online. The online form is for Universal credit. To claim the old style ESA it's much quicker by phone.

    Numbers are here and it's Contributory and income related you want, not New style contribution or Universal credit.

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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