Not entitled to SSP

hale

Looking for some advice please. I work 6-12 hours a week and am booked in to have an operation with a recovery time of at least 6 weeks next month. I don't earn a lot but my wages will be missed during my recovery and as I don't earn enough I am not entitled to SSP. I understand I may possibly be able to claim ESA as I have full National Insurance contributions for the last 2 years. From what I have read my employer should give me a SSP1 form explaining why I do not qualify for SSP, but then what do I do? Any help/advice gratefuly received. TIA

calcotti

Information on ESA here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance.

You have to make an initial call, complete a form and take it to a JobCentre appointment together with other documents.

If you were earning less than £116/week from April 2016 to March 2018 you will not have enough NI to qualify. If you are correct that you have a full NI record for this period you will be able to claim. To claim ESA you are right that you will need the SSP1 as well as a Fit Note.

Are you claiming any other benefits currently?

hale

Thanks. I do have enough NI contributions as I claim child benefit. What do I do if I am not well enough to get to the job centre please?

calcotti

hale wrote: »

Thanks. I do have enough NI contributions as I claim child benefit. What do I do if I am not well enough to get to the job centre please?

Receiving child benefit will give you ni credits but that is not enough to qualify for ESA. You will need to have earned above £116/week for at least 26 weeks in one of the two years 2016-2017 or 2017-2018.
[EDIT: Additional note, even if you had worked for 26 weeks in this period the Ni credits from child benefit are Class 3 credits and do not count towards ESA which requires Class 1 or 2 contributions - thanks to poppy for reminding me of that.]

If you are on a low income, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim Universal Credit but if you are part of a couple a UC claim is based on your joint circumstances.

For claimants who are too ill to attend the JobCentre DWP can do home visits.

hale

On checking on the government gateway site my record shows full NI contributions for all years despite me not earning the minimum amount for the last 5 years?

poppy12345

hale wrote: »

On checking on the government gateway site my record shows full NI contributions for all years despite me not earning the minimum amount for the last 5 years?

That will be for NI credits only towards your pension. You can't claim Contributions based benefits with this.

hale

poppy12345 wrote: »

That will be for NI credits only towards your pension. You can't claim Contributions based benefits with this.

Oh I see, thank you

calcotti

Poppy thanks for picking me up on that - I’d forgotten that they were the wrong credits anyway!

OP, you will continue to get the Class 3 Ni credits as a result of receiving Child Benefit until your child is 12.