Hello I have applied for contributions based Esa . Have to take id into job centre tomorrow I called NI line and asked if I had enough credits to be entitled to pension for the last 2 years the 20/21 and 21/22 but she did not know if I met it for contributions based Esa and wished me good luck ?
I am registered for uc but don’t get any as hubby wages too high. Will I not get any contributions based Esa will it just go into the uc account .. Sorry if I’m not making sense I’m bamboozled by this system And struggling mentally
New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit and is not means tested with the exception of pension income which can reduce the amount that you receive.
There are two Contribution Conditions that you need to meet for a new claim for New Style ESA.
Both are based on the two Tax Years preceding the current Benefit year, for 2023 they are 2020-21 and 2021-22.
The Second Condition requires a minimum of 50 weeks of either NI Contributions and/or NI Credits, your current Credits Only award potentially covers this.
The First however requires a minimum of 26 weeks of NI Contributions in either of the two years, your current claim does not provide these, Contributions can only be acquired through paid employment, there are some exceptions but you don't mention any of these in your post.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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