ESA contributions based to income based

keddi · 26 March 2014 at 2:46PM

I have just come to the end of my 12 months on ESA (contributions based) and so cannot get money anymore. I've been told I can fill in a form for income based ESA, but as my pratner works full-time I know I won't get anything.

I've been given conflicting information from the government so was wondering if anyone else knew what is fact and what isn't.

Advice 1 - don't fill in the form, don't worry you are still on ESA and in the system you just won't get any money. Your National Insurance will still be paid and you can reapply after 12 weeks if you have enough contributions (not sure what "enough" means).

Advice 2 - if you don't fill out the form you won't get your National Insurance paid.

I'm still be asked along to work focused interviews but don't know if I need to go - what are they going to do? Take away the money I'm not getting?

Any advice appreciated.

rogerblack · 26 March 2014 at 4:24PM

If you continue to claim ESA, then your NI credits will continue.
Importantly, if your condition worsens, and you have not stopped your claim, you can move into the support group, and payment can restart at the support rate (contributory).

You cannot be required in law to do any work related activity if you're only being paid credits.

keddi · 26 March 2014 at 5:14PM

so to clarify, I will need to fill in the new form for income based ESA to get the NI credits, or am I still on ESA and getting credits after the 12 months?

Thx

rogerblack · 26 March 2014 at 6:42PM

keddi wrote: »

so to clarify, I will need to fill in the new form for income based ESA to get the NI credits, or am I still on ESA and getting credits after the 12 months?

Thx

In principle, there is no requirement in law for you to fill in the form.
In practice, I am unsure what the DWP actually do.
Best to either ring in, or fill in the form.

barney2k · 27 March 2014 at 12:30AM

I did not fill out any forms at the end of my 365 days on contribution based ESA. I still get my NI stamp paid, I just don't get any money. No one has ever suggested this as like you I have a working partner.

von · 27 March 2014 at 6:43AM

If your partner is working over 24 hours per week it's absolutely pointless filling in the form to claim ESA(IR) as you won't be entitled so don't bother. As long as you continue providing medical certificates you will automatically receive your NI credits.

HB58 · 28 March 2014 at 12:03AM

von wrote: »

As long as you continue providing medical certificates you will automatically receive your NI credits.

Having been accepted into main-phase ESA, and awarded WRAG, there is no need to supply further sick/fit notes.

Torry_Quine · 28 March 2014 at 12:08AM

I agree with what has been said you will continue to get NI credits and don't need to complete the form for income based ESA. In the future when you come to be reassessed then if you continue in WRAG then will get credits and if you get into support group money will re-start.