Hi Slick
If you have been receiving Carer's Allowance continually for 9 years then you will meet the New Style ESA contribution conditions.
This is the section of the ESA regs that applies -
Relaxation of the first contribution condition-
3. the claimant
3.1 was entitled to CA in the last complete tax year immediately before the relevant beneft year in
which the frst day of LCW occurred5 or
The second contribution condition
41033 The second contribution condition is satisfed1
if
1. in the last two complete relevant income tax years before the beginning of the relevant beneft year
the claimant has
1.1 paid or been credited with class 1 or class 2 NI contributions or
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6...db/dmg-vol8-ch41.pdf David