ESA Contributory

Cardiff2011 wrote: I was on IB for many years but then transferred to ESA Contributory but this ceased after 365 days as I have a small income from a Permenant Health Insurance. I think that I was told that I could re-apply for ESA after 1 or 2 years after the end of my previous claim. Does anyone know if this is the case or have the rules changed??
Thanks

I am afraid that you can only make a new claim for ESA(CB) if you can meet the Contribution requirements again, as you were previously on IB, the only way that you can do this is through paid employment or registered self-employment.

Providing you have maintained your Limited Capability for Work status since you last received ESA, then, if your condition has deteriorated and you think you now meet the Support Group criteria then you can asked to be re-assessed, if successful your ESA(CB) will be re-instated.

Gordon

Cardiff2011 wrote: Many thanks your very quick response!
With payments from PHI I have continued to pay National Insurance contributions and tax through PAYE. Do you think I can re-apply for ESA contributory and haw long after previous claim finished??

The tax is not relevant but if you have being paying NI the it may be possible, a new claim for ESA(CB) made now would require sufficient NI Contributions in either of the Tax years 2011-12 or 2012-13 and sufficient NI Contributions and/or NI Credits in both of these Tax years, you would have received Credits from both your IB and ESA, so it will likely be the first Condition which you may struggle with, you can check with HMRC as to what NICs you have.

As it has been more than 12 weeks since your previous ESA claim there should be no restriction on you making a new one, other than as above.

Obviously as this is a new claim you will need to also meet the ESA criteria.

Gordon