Not eligible for ESA payments or ESA Credits Only

Previously on IB then ESA WRAG 365 Contribution thereafter ESA IR. Change to financial circumstances resulted in no longer being eligible for ESA IR. Also not eligible for ESA Credits Only due to having maximum NI Contributions & NI Credits giving entitlement to state pension when reach retiral age. Ill health is ongoing.

I cannot find any information regarding people in this situation as to timescales for re-assessments, are they written off, are they only brought to attention of DWP when change to health/financial circumstances, which statistics are they classed in, etc etc. Have reached conclusion I am missing it or it is not readily available to the public. Any information would be appreciated.

del wrote: Previously on IB then ESA WRAG 365 Contribution thereafter ESA IR. Change to financial circumstances resulted in no longer being eligible for ESA IR. Also not eligible for ESA Credits Only due to having maximum NI Contributions & NI Credits giving entitlement to state pension when reach retiral age. Ill health is ongoing.

I cannot find any information regarding people in this situation as to timescales for re-assessments, are they written off, are they only brought to attention of DWP when change to health/financial circumstances, which statistics are they classed in, etc etc. Have reached conclusion I am missing it or it is not readily available to the public. Any information would be appreciated.

Hi d,

Even for someone in your situation you should be reassessed a couple of months before the end of the prognosis period of your WRAG award.

It is obviously not in The DWP's interests to do this as a resulting SG award would mean that they had to start paying you CB ESA once more.

You are probably aware of the huge backlogs, and the deferrals of reassessments.

Who said that you were not entitled to NI Credits only as you already have the maximum 30 years ?

What if the present maximum 30 years requirement increases in the future ?

This is the first time that I have heard of this.

You should be classed as "a person who is only entitled to CB ESA payable at nil rate", and you should be getting NI Credits.

If you have suffered a change or deterioration in your condition since the date of the WRAG award, and can prove it, you could report a change in circumstances and request a review/supersession.

Failing that, a letter to your M.P. may be in order :

Contacting your MP

I don't think that they have statistics for ESA Claimants who have lost entitlement to payment of CB ESA due to the 365 days rule.

I fear that many, many such people have simply fell through the cracks into no-mans (womans) land.

bro58

Thanks bro

Twice I wrote to DWP to ask for confirmation regarding my situation, second time was as I did not agree with the first letter. Standard letters received both occasions each stating no payment and no entitlement to NI credits based on my NI record. I took it that as I have maximum amount that is why I am not eligible for Credits Only. I sincerely hope they have not closed my claim as they have been instructed three times not to do so!!

del wrote: Thanks bro

Twice I wrote to DWP to ask for confirmation regarding my situation, second time was as I did not agree with the first letter. Standard letters received both occasions each stating no payment and no entitlement to NI credits based on my NI record. I took it that as I have maximum amount that is why I am not eligible for Credits Only. I sincerely hope they have not closed my claim as they have been instructed three times not to do so!!

Hi d,

Yes, you do need to sort The NI Credit issue out, if nothing else.

Even though your ESA Claim may not be "active", in that you are not being paid any monies, you should still be receiving NI Credits only towards your State Pension.

If they won't sort it, contact your M.P.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Thanks Gordon and bro will take on board what you have said and get things checked out. I already have enough NI Contributions + Credits to meet the 35 years would that make a difference?