ESA abroad

chris2017

I receive NI credits only as based on ESA contribution based which stopped paying last year. The NI credits only helps my State Pension final figure. Im 61 yrs old. I inform the DWP of being out of the country for up to 4 weeks when I travel abroad. If I stayed away for 6 weeks would I receive credits only for 4 weeks and nothing for the other 2 weeks or would I not receive any credits for the whole 6 weeks? Also if I stayed away for 6 weeks would my claim be closed and have to start the whole ESA process again or would I get the claim started again once back in the UK. I don't claim UC as I declare 2 private pensions to the DWP as required. The 6 week interval is not to seek medical treatment but to stay somewhere warmer over the winter than pay crazy heating bills.

[Deleted User]

I would assume at 61 that you have made 35 years N.I. contributions which will give you full SRP, and therefore its almost irrelevant, your best bet will be to speak to the DWP.

Mojisola

chris2017 wrote: »

I receive NI credits only as based on ESA contribution based which stopped paying last year.

If I stayed away for 6 weeks would I receive credits only for 4 weeks and nothing for the other 2 weeks or would I not receive any credits for the whole 6 weeks?

Also if I stayed away for 6 weeks would my claim be closed and have to start the whole ESA process again or would I get the claim started again once back in the UK.

You still get paid for the first four weeks and then, because it's paid in arrears, get another payment after that.

If you tell the DWP that you want to suspend your claim rather than close it, it can be restarted when you return.