Cannot get ESA — Scope | Disability forum
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

Cannot get ESA

Options
kieranroche
kieranroche Community member Posts: 1 Listener
edited April 2020 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi I hope you and families are safe today. Please help - I worked paying full NI for around 30 years. I Became unwell - Bipolar and diabetes due to stress etc. I had not used benefits system before so (foolishly now) didnot sign on for a year NOW I am informed due to that having insufficient NI over last 2 years I cannot get ESA . Can anyone advise eg could I claim “credit” the DHS refer to for this one recent year of no NI - it seems grossly unfair. My Doctor will verify I couldnot sign on due to illness.
Best k
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,047 Disability Gamechanger
    Options
    HI and welcome,

    To claim New style ESA then you must have paid enough NI Contributions in the tax years April 2017 to March 2019. Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim NI credits for that lost 1 year. If you are worried about your pension then new pension rules mean that you only need 35 years of NI for full state pension.

    Whether or not you're entitled to claim Universal Credit, will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner that works then you'll need to claim as a couple. As it's a means tested benefit then savings/capital and other income will affect the amount you're entitled to.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Abdi_Scope
    Abdi_Scope Scope Membership Team Posts: 268 Pioneering
    Options

    Hi @kieranroche - thank you for sharing your experience and taking the step to reach out. We have pages which are grouped under particular subject headings - you may find useful advice here also . Have a look at Disability Benefits section. Thanks for being part of our Community :smile:




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brightness

Categories

Do you need advice on your energy costs?


Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.