ESA refused … help

aliuk96
aliuk96 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Connected
in Benefits and income
Hello all . 
I need your help and  advice 
I have been refused new style ESA due to not paying enough N.I contributions. I feel like they have got this wrong cos when I was 16/17 years old I was on JSA for a very long time … I’m confused and unsure what I should do next … does anyone know if there is a way to check how much N.I you have paid … I’m really don’t know what to do ??? Help 

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Empowering
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  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 7,260 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    edited February 2024
    Hello @aliuk96, Sorry to hear you were refused ESA. As noman and remina have mentioned above, you can check your NI contributions on the Goverment website. You'll need to sign up for the government gateway ID to use the service and go from there.

    I'm by no means an expert on ESA, but I did see that in the eligibility section it says you need to have paid the right amount of contributions 'usually within the last 2 to 3 years', I'm not sure if that's something that applies to you at all? Hopefully one of our members with more experience might be able to offer some more solid advice on what might have happened :)

    Is ESA the only option available to you, or do you think you might be eligible for other benefits?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    To be entitled to New style ESA you will have needed to work at some point in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23. If you haven’t then DWP are correct and you won’t be entitled to payments. This is because it’s a contributions based benefit only.

    It’s no longer possible to claim the old Income Related ESA. 

    I note from a previous thread that you were claiming UC with your partner who works but you closed the claim. Was this because their earnings reduced your entitlement to zero? 

    When you were claiming UC did you report your health condition and go through the work capability assessment? 

    Unfortunately when you live with a partner you need to claim means tested benefits like UC as a couple and your entitlement will be based on your joint circumstances. As they work then whether there’s any entitlement will depend on earnings and both your circumstances. 

  • aliuk96
    aliuk96 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Connected
    Rosie_Scope said:
    Hello @aliuk96, Sorry to hear you were refused ESA. As noman and remina have mentioned above, you can check your NI contributions on the Goverment website. You'll need to sign up for the government gateway ID to use the service and go from there.

    I'm by no means an expert on ESA, but I did see that in the eligibility section it says you need to have paid the right amount of contributions 'usually within the last 2 to 3 years', I'm not sure if that's something that applies to you at all? Hopefully one of our members with more experience might be able to offer some more solid advice on what might have happened :)

    Is ESA the only option available to you, or do you think you might be eligible for other benefits?

    Do you think that I need to claim esa income related … cos I haven’t worked due to my severe depression and anxiety . 
    And not new style esa … sorry but I’m confused to know which one is the right esa to apply for … for my mental health . 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    aliuk96 said:
    Rosie_Scope said:
    Hello @aliuk96, Sorry to hear you were refused ESA. As noman and remina have mentioned above, you can check your NI contributions on the Goverment website. You'll need to sign up for the government gateway ID to use the service and go from there.

    I'm by no means an expert on ESA, but I did see that in the eligibility section it says you need to have paid the right amount of contributions 'usually within the last 2 to 3 years', I'm not sure if that's something that applies to you at all? Hopefully one of our members with more experience might be able to offer some more solid advice on what might have happened :)

    Is ESA the only option available to you, or do you think you might be eligible for other benefits?

    Do you think that I need to claim esa income related … cos I haven’t worked due to my severe depression and anxiety . 
    And not new style esa … sorry but I’m confused to know which one is the right esa to apply for … for my mental health . 
    You can no longer claim the old Income Related ESA because that has now been replaced with Universal Credit.

    For UC if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. 

    You didn't answer the question I asked in my previous thread. When you were previously claiming UC did you report your health condition, supported by a fit note? Was your UC reduced to zero because of your partners earnings?

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