Would I be eligible for esa
jasperbear
Community member Posts: 8 Listener
Hi,hoping that someone could advise me on whether I could get ESA the support group. I currently receive pip for daily living. I have been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy in lower body and arthritis in my hands. So I suffer brain fog, memory problems pain and weakness in lower body(to name a few issues) I have not worked for 7 years (I was a school cleaner) because I can't guarantee that any part of me will work properly. So my question is would I be entitled to ESA. Thank you
Comments
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New style ESA is a contribution based benefit. You can only claim if you have a complete NI record for the tax years 2018-19 and 2019-20. You will not have this as you have not worked for seven years, therefore you cannot receive ESA.
If you have low household income and savings of less than £16,000 you may be eligible for UC which can, after a waiting period, include extra money if you have health conditions that limit your ability to work and carry out work related activity (equivalent to ESASupport Group).
If you live with a partner UC takes into account your joint finances.
You can use a benefits calculator to assess entitlement
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
However applying for UC will end any means tested benefits you currently receive (Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, JSA, ESA etc.).Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK. -
Hi calcotti, thank you for replying. That's disappointing news, but I will look into possibly trying UC.
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If you are not eligible for UC you may wish to apply for ESA anyway. Although you cannot be paid anything, if you are found to have Limited Capability for Work you will be able to get NI credits which count towards your State Pension. If you do claim UC you will credits through UC anyway.
Obviously there is no need to worry about credits if you already have enough years of contributions for a full pension. You can get a pension forecast by contacting the Future Pension Service. https://www.gov.uk/future-pension-centre
Are you living just off your PIP at the moment?Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK. -
My partner works part time and has a army pension and I just have pip
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jasperbear said:My partner works part time and has a army pension and I just have pip
If no UC entitlement check your pension forecast and if you need more years of NI for a full pension apply for new style ESA in order to be assessed and see if you can get NI credits.
If claiming UC or ESA you will need a Fit Note from your GP to support the claim.
If no UC and your partner earns less than £128/week they could claim Carer's Allowance for looking after you (pension income doesn't count towards the £128). No point in claiming CA if claiming UC because the CA will just be deducted from the UC.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK. -
It makes me feel that Universal Credit has spoiled everything.
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sben said:It makes me feel that Universal Credit has spoiled everything.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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