ESA do I need a sick note?

3 Posts
I am so confused about ESA ans whether I might be eligible. I have Arthritis and was signed of work in 2007, at that time I applied for ESA but was refused because although I couldn't go back to that specific job (it was only ten hours a week) I was deemed fit to work by atos , ie I could do a less physical job. At the ATOS assessment I was basically told to go down the mental health route if I wanted to get anywhere, I didn't get ESA and the whole experience was awful because I genuinely needed support. Forward 11 years and I am wondering if I can reapply without a sick note because I am still not working. I have a hard time looking for work , because I suffer from fatigue and my illness is unpredictable, I have diarrhoea 3-4 days a week. I have been receiving CBT through NHS for Axiety and depression because I am really struggling to cope with how useless I am at the moment and so resentful to this disease and the impact it's had in my life.
I won't be eliable for income related because partner earns too much. I have been awarded Nat ins credits through carers allowance but I don't think that's enough.
However I stumbled upon a thread that implies if you've ever worked and paid nat ins you could still claim. I have paid nat ins through wages for around 7-8 years in total.
I wasn't allowed to include the link as a new user but if you google "carer now esa mse" it comes up from 18th Aug 2017
Sorry if I'm a bit vague, I've tried reading the gov page but don't fully understand it my brain is all over the place at the moment, the medication makes my brain fog. Please be gentle with me but any helpful advice would be appreciated.
I won't be eliable for income related because partner earns too much. I have been awarded Nat ins credits through carers allowance but I don't think that's enough.
However I stumbled upon a thread that implies if you've ever worked and paid nat ins you could still claim. I have paid nat ins through wages for around 7-8 years in total.
I wasn't allowed to include the link as a new user but if you google "carer now esa mse" it comes up from 18th Aug 2017
Sorry if I'm a bit vague, I've tried reading the gov page but don't fully understand it my brain is all over the place at the moment, the medication makes my brain fog. Please be gentle with me but any helpful advice would be appreciated.
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It would be helpful to know what is happening with Universal Credit in your area to properly advise on ESA:
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate
Have you looked into PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
https://www.gov.uk/pip
As you've been refused ESA previously, you won't be able to reclaim again for the same condition that you previously claimed for. You must make sure that's it for a worsening condition or a totally different condition. You will need fit notes from your GP until you've been assessed and a decision is made, this can take several months and more.
If your area is full universal credit area you will need to claim New style contribution based ESA. If not then it will be legacy CB ESA. Check your area here. http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate
I was under the impression to claim benefits some of the credits must come from working?
For every week that you receive Carer’s Allowance, an automatic Class 1 contribution or ‘credit’ will be made to your National Insurance record equal to 1/52th of the amount that is needed to make a qualifying year that year. So in 2018/19, that will be £116. If you receive Carer’s Allowance for the 2018/19 full year, an amount of £6,032 will be captured on your record and that year will become a qualifying year for the purposes of calculating the state pension.
Carer’s Allowance gives entitlement to Class 1 National Insurance credits which can count towards contribution based jobseeker’s allowance, contribution based employment and support allowance, maternity allowance, bereavement benefits as well as the state pension.
Conditions of claiming CB benefits here.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based