ESA CB

I claimed ESA last week having been told by citizens advice that I was eligible for contribution based. I have worked continuously for the last 20 years for the same employer, with no breaks in service. So for the 2 years 2011 to2013 I have paid national insurance through my employer. Today I receive a letter to say I have not paid enough/or have enough credits for the year 2011to2012. Does this seem correct. I phoned them but the adviser wouldn't tell me what she could see on her monster, just asked if I had not worked or earned during that year. Should I ask to be reconsidered? I didn't want income related as I have just received some money from my late mother which takes me over the 16,000 threshold. Any advice please?

Janeyrobs wrote: I claimed ESA last week having been told by citizens advice that I was eligible for contribution based. I have worked continuously for the last 20 years for the same employer, with no breaks in service. So for the 2 years 2011 to2013 I have paid national insurance through my employer. Today I receive a letter to say I have not paid enough/or have enough credits for the year 2011to2012. Does this seem correct. I phoned them but the adviser wouldn't tell me what she could see on her monster, just asked if I had not worked or earned during that year. Should I ask to be reconsidered? I didn't want income related as I have just received some money from my late mother which takes me over the 16,000 threshold. Any advice please?

Hi Jr,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If you have worked continuously up until the date of your ESA Claim, and your employer has been paying a full NI Contribution (Stamp) for you, then you should be entitled to CB ESA.

The two relevant Tax Years that you quote "2011-2012 and 2012-2013" were relevant up to 04/01/15.

After that date, the relevant two Tax Years move forward to 2012-13 and 2013-14.

A basic explanation of how it works is during both tax years you must have been paid or credited with a stamp for at least 50 weeks.

During one of the tax year you must have paid 26 weeks worth of stamps via employment.

It is not beyond the realms that The DWP have made an error with your NI Contribution history.

It may help if you can provide them with copies of your P60's for the relevant years, if you don't have these you may be able to obtain copies from your ex-employer, or other supporting evidence.

I would certainly re-contact The DWP, and challenge their decision.

You could telephone the DWP :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA.

As early in the day as possible, I believe that they open at 8AM, and if you still do not receive a positive response ask for an escalation to a Supervisor/Manager, this will involve a call back.

You should take into account that your first line of telephone contact will only be a DWP ESA Call Responder in a Call Centre, their knowledge is very basic.

Failing that, you could recontact the CAB or some other advice agency :

Where to get advice

You should not have to request a "Reconsideration" this would be more of a "Complaint"

You are correct, in that if you have capital, assets, or savings in excess of £16,000 that this would preclude you from IR ESA payments.

It works like so :

For ESA(IR) capital, savings and assets of less than £6000 should not effect your benefit.

Capital, assets and savings over £6000 will result in a £1/week deduction for every £250 in excess.

Capital, assets and savings in excess of £16,000 will remove eligibility for ESA(IR).

You could also involve your M.P. who may be able to expedite a resolution :

Contacting your MP

bro58

Thanks G,

Forgot the obvious !!

Jr, see :

Check your National Insurance record. Gov.UK

&

HMRC Checking your National Insurance Contributions record.

bro58

Thank you for your reply. I have filled in the gov.uk form to see the national insurance contributions for the relevant years, but this can take weeks it says. I sent in my claim for ESA by phone on the 12th January 2015 but the date used is 1st January 2015 as my SSP finished 31st December 2014. I have worked every week for the last 20 years, same employer and every week and earned above the lower earnings level for national insurance contributions. I have all my P60's so I will send those. I feel like I am having to prove who I am and my employment history.