Is it possible to switch from income assessed to contributions based ESA?

holnrew

Doing this would allow my partner to work whilst (hopefully) not affecting our overall income.

Is it possible, or would I need to start a new claim? I'm in the Work related activity group. How much would it affect housing and council tax benefit?

nannytone_2

if you were entitled to contributions based ESA, they wouldnt have put you on income based until your entitlement had run out.

you would need to have paid NI contributions in the past 2 full tax years to qualify ( 09/10 and 10/11}

holnrew

Thanks, I hadn't realised that. I thought it was if you'd paid NI for any two full tax years.

Thank you for your help.