Really confused by ESA!

oxcat1

I've just come out of hospital after 12 weeks, and my GP has provided a sick note for six months, backdated to the start of my hospital admission, which takes me to 15/11/10.

I've been reading about ESA and I'm confused. If my GP says that I'm not fit to work until November, will I still have to attend a medical assessment where they could find that I am? Or does the note mean that the medical assessment doesn't have to happen?

I telephoned yesterday to get a claim for ESA started. I hvae been registered as self-employed since May 2009 (been studying full-time before that since leaving school), so paying Class 2 contributions since then. I don't think I'll have paid enough NI contributions to be eligible, but hoping I might get credits.

The second question is, if I did get awarded NI credits, do they eventually count towards ESA? I mean, if I got enough credits, would I evenutally become eligible to receive the benefit? I have many long-term medical conditions - 42 hospital admissions in the past 8 years - and really don't know whether work is ever going to be possible.

with thanks for your help.

Oldernotwiser

oxcat1 wrote: »

The second question is, if I did get awarded NI credits, do they eventually count towards ESA? I mean, if I got enough credits, would I evenutally become eligible to receive the benefit? I have many long-term medical conditions - 42 hospital admissions in the past 8 years - and really don't know whether work is ever going to be possible.

with thanks for your help.

Your credits will count towards your pension but not for contributions related benefits, I'm afraid.

idvi

the esa medical assessment supersedes whatever your doctor has said

even if the sick note signs you off til november, you will still have to go to the medical - and if you dont qualify under their rules then you will be booted off esa...

although you can appeal and claim assessment rate during the appeal (supported by doctors sick notes).

doctors sick/fit notes (whatever they call them now) arent worth much on their own because in theory the doc could use their discretion and write anything. when i was first unwell i kept getting sick notes every 6 weeks, even though my mental health conditions are very long-term. the doc didnt feel comfortable with signing me off for any longer in one go, so i got one every 6 weeks. its all subjective based on your gp

Chorlie

Just reading the OP 2nd question got me thinking (not wise I know).

I've this year been dismissed from work on ill health ground (disability getting worse) and was granted an ill health pension. So with working for 19yrs (for the same company) I applied for ESA under the contribution related side (not income, I have my pension and small savings).

Was this the right thing to due and since I'm not paying NI contributions (via my pension) anymore will it still stand in the future?

Also with my Pension info it mention not paying NI could effect any state pension at 65 (or whatever age it increases to) and to contact the Tax Office if I wish to pay them, so should I pay them or will I be getting NI credits via my ESA / DLA?

I'm only 39yrs old so trying to decide what's best for me when I do become state pension age & what I need to do now to achieve that.

oxcat1

I'm afraid I can't help with any of your questions, but I do know that DLA doesn't provide any NI credits. I receive both high rate care and mobility and have done for about 6 years, but sadly no credits.

I've received a letter to say that I'm not eligible for ESA as I haven't paid enough national insurance, but I 'may be eligible to receive NI credits'.

I've received the ESA50 form and posted it off today but I'm not hopeful. I included some medical evidence with my ESA50 - should I also post it off to the other address, the office where I sent my doctor's note?

I'm confused about how this will all work given I was in hospital during the first 12 weeks of the claim - as it was backdated. I thought I'd read somewhere that applicants in hospital, or recovering from hosptial treatment, were automatically put in the support group, but I can't find anything official to say this and don't know if it's true?

It's all so confusing!

Chorlie

Can't you apply for Income Related ESA if you haven't paid enough NI?

It depends on savings and any other income, but might be worth looking into.

oxcat1

Thanks for your reply Charlie. I live with my husband who works over 24 hours a week, so no, sadly not eligible for income related ESA.

I've not really got any idee what's going on so I think I might telephone tomorrow and see if they can help. Surely I should be eligible for credits for the 12 weeks that I was in hospital at least?

Chorlie

Have you looked at this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

It might come up with something extra you hadn't thought about.