Applying for ESA

venomx

how is it done ? my sister has depression and we would like to know how to go about applying for ESA

Thanks:j

NeilCr

Information here

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

Has she been working? Asking as she may qualify for Conts or New Style ESA.

Has she/have you checked if she is in a full UC area ? If not put your postcode in here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/

If she is in a full UC area and would be claiming based on income she will need to claim UC

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/apply-for-universal-credit/

venomx

NeilCr wrote: »

Information here

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

Has she been working? Asking as she may qualify for Conts or New Style ESA.

Has she/have you checked if she is in a full UC area ? If not put your postcode in here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/

She was working years back, then started uni and then dropped the course, now living at home with parents...

on the DWP site it says

Types of ESA
There are 3 types of ESA:

‘new style’ ESA if you’re entitled to claim Universal Credit
contributory ESA - usually you get this if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions (National Insurance credits can count for part of this, if you get them)
income-related ESA - usually you get this on its own or on top of contributory ESA, if you’re on a low income

How are we supposed to know which one to apply for ?

NeilCr

If she hasn't been working and paying NI Conts then it will be income based (or UC - see my first post)

More here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/

poppy12345

Contribution based depends on National Insurance contributions in the last 2 years, if it was years ago she worked then it's Income Related she should look at. For this does she live with a partner that works? If she doesn't then yes Income Related. You will need to check if her area is a full universal credit area, if it is then it this she has to claim not ESA.

venomx

poppy12345 wrote: »

Contribution based depends on National Insurance contributions in the last 2 years, if it was years ago she worked then it's Income Related she should look at. For this does she live with a partner that works? If she doesn't then yes Income Related. You will need to check if her area is a full universal credit area, if it is then it this she has to claim not ESA.

IT seems quite confusing.
Is it not possible to call the DWP and ask them to tell us what group she falls under ?

poppy12345

venomx wrote: »

IT seems quite confusing.
Is it not possible to call the DWP and ask them to tell us what group she falls under ?

If she hasn't worked for years, as you stated then she won't qualify for Contribution based, it will be Income Related. A call to DWP would be pointless. Did you check the link above to see what's in her area?

poppy12345

She will also need fit/sick notes from her GP.

venomx

poppy12345 wrote: »

If she hasn't worked for years, as you stated then she won't qualify for Contribution based, it will be Income Related. A call to DWP would be pointless. Did you check the link above to see what's in her area?

Thanks.

I entered the postcode and yes, we are i think. It says ( You might get Universal Credit if you’re unemployed or struggling to get by )

poppy12345

venomx wrote: »

Thanks.

I entered the postcode and yes, we are i think. It says ( You might get Universal Credit if you’re unemployed or struggling to get by )

That means she's in a full UC area, so she can't claim ESA, it will be Universal Credit she will need to claim. This can be done online.

venomx

poppy12345 wrote: »

That means she's in a full UC area, so she can't claim ESA, it will be Universal Credit she will need to claim. This can be done online.

Perfect thanks.

Is UC being rolled out everywhere ? I'm currently on ESA and PIP, will this affect me ? :j