ESA - Contribution based question

Girlinstatic

Hi all

Some background details: I have never worked thanks to very severe social phobia and mental health problems. I am on low rate mobility and care DLA and have been on incapacity since I left school. I got switched over to contrbution based esa last year. I am now 24 and soon to be 25.

My question is, I understand that I was on contribution based benefit despite having never paid any NI contributions as I was young when first applied. But when I am 25 am I entitled to claim income based ESA instead? I am not sure where I stand as I have never worked and searching on the internet has left me even more confused as it tells me ESA in youth was due to be abolished in 2012.

Thanks for any advice

jacques_chirac

You will transfer onto CB ESA. If you are placed in the WRAG you will be transferred to IB ESA after one year. If you are placed in the Support Group your CB ESA will continue as long as you meet the criteria.

ESA in youth was abolished for new claims.

You have been away from the workplace for a long long time. Hopefully you are receiving help and support that might help you move forward?

Girlinstatic

Thanks for the advice. I now understand that my CB ESA will stay as it is as I did get put into the support group. The main reason I was enquiring if I was elegible for IB ESA now, or when I turned 25, was because i'd be better off on IB ESA as I have to pay rent and for prescriptions every month.

I am getting help and I have an extremely supportive GP. Despite never having been to work,I have not given up on being able to work one day, I find being on benefits rather soul crushing. But at the moment I can barely manage to cope with getting dressed and taking care of myself every day. Infact most days, I don't manage at all.

Thanks again for the help

compares4u

I was on CB ESA and asked them to change me to IB ESA as I would be better off and they did. Give them a ring and tell them to switch you.

Horseunderwater

Girlinstatic wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I now understand that my CB ESA will stay as it is as I did get put into the support group. The main reason I was enquiring if I was elegible for IB ESA now, or when I turned 25, was because i'd be better off on IB ESA as I have to pay rent and for prescriptions every month.

I am getting help and I have an extremely supportive GP. Despite never having been to work,I have not given up on being able to work one day, I find being on benefits rather soul crushing. But at the moment I can barely manage to cope with getting dressed and taking care of myself every day. Infact most days, I don't manage at all.

Thanks again for the help

Ring and ask them to send out form ESA3 - that is the form to complete to get them to change you over to Income related ESA. Also ask if you can get it back dated too.