Income Based ESA and NI contributions

ShadowPuma

Quick question:

Soon I'll be running out of contribution based ESA and will be using my own money from the sale of my maritial home to support myself for a couple of years until I can work again.

However I'd quite like to still get the support offered by the job centre to the WRAG group and get my NI contributions paid if possible.

Does anyone know if that is possible or if I am means tested above the level to get any actual funds that basically cancels any support or NI payments?

As yet (8 months in) ATOS haven't even assessed me yet so I don't have an advisor at the jobcentre to ask.

nannytone_2

even though your payments stop after 365 fsyd, your ESA claim will still be open for as long as you meet the crtiteria.
you NI credits will still be paid and you will continue to be in the WRAG with all the JC help that goes with it.
havent you considered buying another property with your savings or isnt there enough?

Torry_Quine

ShadowPuma wrote: »

Quick question:

Soon I'll be running out of contribution based ESA and will be using my own money from the sale of my maritial home to support myself for a couple of years until I can work again.

However I'd quite like to still get the support offered by the job centre to the WRAG group and get my NI contributions paid if possible.

Does anyone know if that is possible or if I am means tested above the level to get any actual funds that basically cancels any support or NI payments?

As yet (8 months in) ATOS haven't even assessed me yet so I don't have an advisor at the jobcentre to ask.

If you haven't been assessed yet then you aren't in a group but still in assessement phase. Your money will stop at one year but should you get into a group then you will be due back-dated money from week 13 of your claim. I would say that you should contact your local centre to find out if you are going to be assessed any time soon. Have you even completed an ESA50?

nannytone is correct that even if in the WRAG group you will still have your NI credits paid after a year and have to meet the requirements to get ESA.

ShadowPuma

completed the ESA 50 in January. The assessments are currently being held up due to the ATOS contract issues and I've checked with both ATOS and the ESA team who both say "don't hold your breath". Frustrates the hell out of me!

Nice to know about the backdating - thanks guys.

Unfortunately I have enough to purchase a small property and to last a year or so as "salary" but not enough to invest in a second property or start my own business.

Knowing my condition I will am suitable for the WRAG group (a friend is on that already). I DO want the support that you can get with courses etc.

rogerblack

ShadowPuma wrote: »

Knowing my condition I will am suitable for the WRAG group (a friend is on that already). I DO want the support that you can get with courses etc.

You can opt into the support - even if you are placed in the support group.
In the support group, it's not limited to 365 days.