ESA ?

Hi,

Contributions based ESA no longer exists, it's now called New style ESA and to claim this and receive the payments you need to have worked and paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2017 to March 2019, it's not means tested and your partners earnings will not affect the amount you can claim. Although if you haven't paid enough NI contributions in those tax years then you can't claim it and receive the money.

You can claim NS/ESA for the NI credits only but you'll need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this and you'll need to go through the work capability assessment process to determine whether you have limited capability for work. (simialr to the PIP assessment but different criteria)  The NI credits from this are class 1 but they won't help you to receive the money, it will be a credits only claim.

Universal Credit is another option but it's means tested and claiming this will totally depend on your partners earnings. As it's means tested then you'll need to claim as couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be excluded from claiming. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=cec373f6-a2fe-4187-8e4c-eb909c88ec2f

You can't claim pension credit unless you're of state pension age.

It may also be worth checking your state pension forecast to see how many more years you need. Of course i don't know your age but thought i'd mention this. https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

Hope this helps.

You're welcome,

It may still be worth checking your pension forecast to see how many more years of NI contributions you need,

Ok thanks. For NI credits towards your state pension then a claim for New Style ESA credits only can be made but a fit note will be needed from your GP and a work capability assessment will also be completed.

If you have children under 12 then NI credits towards your state pension are paid through child benefit.