contributions for esa

Can anyone help me here please, I was employed for 20 years (MFI) and was made redundant in December 08 and got my last pay slip with NI contracted in payment on 26/01/09.
I had been on the sick because of an injury from 03/08.I was origionally mis diagnosed and told that I would recover from my 'soft tissue injury' in aprox 1 year. I believed that and hoped my redundancy would see me thru.
Unfortunately my pelvic injury was more seroius than diagnosed and caused nerve entrapments and nerve damage. 3 years later I am still unable to work.
I applied for esa in 6/10 but was told that I hadn't enough contributions, and said I was a housewife. They still sent me for a medical (0 points) I am appealing and have a tribunal, probably May/June.(also for DLA)
I can't get my head round 2.3 The Contributions Conditions for Contributory ESA ? ? ? Can any one help?
I applied in the year beginning Jan 2010 my last contributions were in the tax ending April 09. Is this enough ? SO CONFUSED!
Helen

Hi Helen,

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to explain the contribution conditions any more easily than anyone else and I definitely couldn't say if you should be covered or not.

However, you can appeal against the decision that you have not made enough contributions and the DWP will then have to set out what contributions you have made and exactly why they consider this means that your contributions are not sufficient.

Good luck,

Steve

This gives a basic summary of NI contributions and benefits. It tells you what sort of NI contributions are relevant (there are four classes of contributions) and what you need for contributions based ESA.

Adviceguide

However, it is just a brief guide and you may still want to take up Steve's suggestion of appealing to get full information about your position.

Thanks Guys,
Good to know it's not just me being extremely thick
I will appeal and at least I will know where i stand.
Cheers,
Helen