support group and contributory ESA

maria777_2 · 12 April 2012 at 8:56PM

Please could someone advise me? DH has been on IB for approx 8 years. He had an assessment last week for ESA which we were dreading but have to say that the person doing the assessment was very nice indeed - he stopped the assessment before it had finished and said that we had nothing to worry about and that he would be recommending that DH be placed in the support group...but we are really confused about the ESA entitlement. DH would not be entitled to income based ESA as I work full time. I cannot work out if he would be entitled to contributory based ESA? He has been on IB for about 8 years - some info I have read leads me to believe that he will be classed as having paid the necessary NI contriburtions to be entitled but others make me think not......does anyone know? if it makes any difference..he worked full time right up to the point that he went on IB from the age of 16 without any gap in employment. Any advice would be much appreciated!

HB58 · 12 April 2012 at 9:06PM

People being transferred from IB to ESA are classed as being eligible for contributary ESA. The time spend in the Support Group does not count towards the 365 day limit.

maria777_2 · 13 April 2012 at 5:17PM

Many Thanks for your help HB58

Muttleythefrog · 14 April 2012 at 12:55PM

As above. Might be worth, for your own future use (as re-assessments for ESA are regular.. typically 6 months to 2 years) and interest, requesting a copy of the medical report resulting from the face to face medical. It is an ESA85 document and you can request a free copy from the DWP. With any luck the DWP will rubber stamp the ATOS report which seems like it will recommend Support Group criteria is met following curtailment of the medical.