National Insurance Credits now ESA stopped

BarnsleyHistorian

Hi

I wonder if you can assist. I read that as a previous claimant of ESA I still get National Insurance credits.

"We will continue to provideclaimants whose ESA (C) will be stopped with National Insurance credits if theyare eligible. People who do not qualify for income related ESA (ESA (IR)) willstill be able to claim National Insurance credits awarded on the grounds oflimited capability for work following exhaustion of ESA (C) entitlement."

However since my ESA stopped in April all I have had from the Job Centre is the form for Income based ESA which I didn't send back as my husband works full time. I am still ill and unable to work but no-one official seems to be bothered about me any more.

Do I get the credits automatically or should I be doing something? The terms eligible and claim in the quote above have got me quite worried ...

Thanks.

rogerblack

You need to continue with your claim. I am unsure if they may close your claim if you Do not return the form.
Call them.
You will have to undergo periodic assessments, as would anyone who is actually being paid.

BarnsleyHistorian

After a night of being unable to sleep wondering about this query I phoned the local Council Welfare Rights number - they couldn't help and suggested I phoned the Job Centre number on my last ESA letter. They couldn't help either but said they would arrange a ring back from the ESA department. Both people I spoke to had very little idea of a definitive answer but expected I would still have to submit sick notes. I haven't had a sick note from my GP for over 2 years, since going on ESA in the first place.

The following day, despite me saying ring after 1pm as I would be out, they rang at 9:40am, just catching me before I left the house luckily. The answer - "Your last medical covers you until July next year, oh, sorry, that'll be July 2014. We'll be in touch when we want you to attend again." In surprise I asked if it was usual for a medical to cover someone for so long - apparently not! I hadn't thought so as I'd been recalled within three months sometimes whilst being paid ESA. So there's one set of critera for people being paid (test them often to see if you can fail them) and one for people not being paid (leave them stewing with no money for as long as possible). Amazing.

So I'm still getting NI credits - and I don't need to do anything (except watch our card bills getting bigger and our fridge getting emptier) for another 18 months or so. Brill.

rogerblack

It's not the case as I understand it that there's one set of rules for people that are paid, one that aren't. At least officially.

There is extreme variance in reported 'prognosis' by doctors at the work capability assessment, even if your condition does not change.

My first one said '6 months'. My latest 'unlikely to be able to work in the longer term' (I do not recall the exact words)

epitome

If you are on esa c and it stops and you do not return the esa3 then nothing happens, all that happens is that you will continue to get NI credits as long as you continue to satisfy the conditions of your ESA, which means:
If you are on appeal, continue to send in sick notes
If you are waiting for WCA, continue to send in sick notes
If you are already in wrag or support, then do nothing and wait for your esa50 and reassesment.

What I want to know from you is WHEN DID YOU LAST WORK? because you could be able to reapply for ESA C and get another 365 days if you get your skates on.