I had a reply today on my ESA claim and the title says "A change in the employment and support allowance rate payable" We have looked at your claim again following a recent change.......I ask myself what recent change?? We cannot pay you ESA from 12 March 2015. We cannot pay you because you have not paid, or been credited with enough national insurance contributions. We have used the tax years ending 5 April 2013 and 5 April 2014 to assess your claim. You are required to immediately report any change in your circumstances to us, or circumstances of your partner if you have one. Then it says we may still credit you with national insurance contributions while claiming ESA. Now I am really confused. I haven't been able to work for the last 10 years due to my illness so therefore I have not paid enough NI contributions? I would really appreciate some help and advise please. Many thanks.
There is a tick box on the ESA1, which you complete when you initially make a claim, saying that you only want to claim Contribution Based ESA, did you tick this? If you did then they will only assess you for ESA(CB) and if you have no NI Contributions which your post suggests, then your claim would be rejected.
If you did not tick the box then you should contact the DWP to ask what is going on as whilst they will still check your eligibility for ESA(CB) they should also check it for Income Related ESA.
I assume that you believe you would be eligible for ESA(IR).
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
