ESA cannot pay me what next

notsosuper

hello ive made a claim for esa got my letters back today saying we cannot pay you from 13th march because i have not been credited with enough national insurance contributions and not getting income related as we have more money coming in than the law says we need so what next is dla the next step my doctor signed me off for three months to start with but he has said this is going to be long term thanks in advance any advice taken into consideration

rogerblack

If you don't believe the NI is incorrect - if you haven't been working, caring, or otherwise credited with NI for the past couple of years - then no, you're not entitled to anything.

If this was a fresh claim for ESA, then you can continue to claim ESA, and get NI credits.
Otherwise, if your household income is too high (and if your partner is in work, this is likely) - you don't get anything.

DLA is a separate benefit. Investigate if your council tax benefit may go up, similarly for housing benefit if you claim that.

mealone

notsosuper wrote: »

hello ive made a claim for esa got my letters back today saying we cannot pay you from 13th march because i have not been credited with enough national insurance contributions and not getting income related as we have more money coming in than the law says we need so what next is dla the next step my doctor signed me off for three months to start with but he has said this is going to be long term thanks in advance any advice taken into consideration

Do you have care or mobility needs?

MrsManda

If you think they may have made a mistake with regards to your National Insurance contributions you can ask the HMRC for a statement of account to check their records match what you think you've paid.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/NationalInsurance/IntroductiontoNationalInsurance/DG_190052

If the record is correct and you haven't paid enough National Insurance contributions you won't be able to receive any ESA payments but will be able to receive National Insurance credits towards your state pension.

DLA is completely different, it is paid for mobility and/or care needs not whether you are able to work or not. It is not means tested and you can claim if you've had care/mobility needs for at least 3 months and likely to have the needs for at least a further 6 months.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10018702

If you put your household details into one of the benefits calculators it may be that you can claim something else to top up your income.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx