New Style ESA

Denny54

Firstly sorry for all the questions.

I wanted to know if you’ve been caring for someone would you be eligible to apply for new style esa?
On the website it says national insurance credits can also count.

How many would you need?

huckster

Can you explain how you received the National Insurance credits ? Were you in employment as a carer ?

Carers Allowance NI credits are purely towards state pension, as far as i am aware and not for any benefits claim.

calcotti

To qualify for new style ESA you need to have NI contributions or credits for the two year period April 2016 to March 2018. There is a second requirement which normally requires to have at least 6 months contributions (rather than just credits) for at least 6 months of one of these two years. However if you were receiving Carer’s Allowance at any time in the year from April 2017 to March 2018 this second requirement is relaxed and be met if you made 6 months of contributions in any one tax year. The DWP often overlook this relaxation rule.

If you have worked at some stage in your life but have been caring and receiving Carer’s Allowance you can therefore qualify for new style ESA.

The NI credits for Carers Allowance are Class 1 Credits and count for more than just state pension.

Note that you cannot get new style ESA at the same time as Carer’s Allowance.

Depending on your household/financial circumstances you may also wish to look at Universal Credit.

Denny54

huckster wrote: »

Can you explain how you received the National Insurance credits ? Were you in employment as a carer ?

Carers Allowance NI credits are purely towards state pension, as far as i am aware and not for any benefits claim.

I receive them from being a carer.

Denny54

calcotti wrote: »

To qualify for new style ESA you need to have NI contributions or credits for the two year period April 2016 to March 2018. There is a second requirement which normally requires to have at least 6 months contributions (rather than just credits) for at least 6 months of one of these two years. However if you were receiving Carer’s Allowance at any time in the year from April 2017 to March 2018 this second requirement is relaxed and be met if you made 6 months of contributions in any one tax year. The DWP often overlook this relaxation rule.

If you have worked at some stage in your life but have been caring and receiving Carer’s Allowance you can therefore qualify for new style ESA.

The NI credits for Carers Allowance are Class 1 Credits and count for more than just state pension.

Note that you cannot get new style ESA at the same time as Carer’s Allowance.

Depending on your household/financial circumstances you may also wish to look at Universal Credit.

Hi

On my online account it says

You have:
* 1 year of full contributions
* 44 years to contribute before 5 April 2062
* 7 years when you did not contribute enough
All years.
2018-19
Your record for this year is not available yet
2017-18
Full year


So once my record for 18-19 is updated and it is full year will i be eligible to apply for new style esa?
Yes i know i wont be able to receive carers allowance and esa at the same time.
I am already receiving UC to.

sportsarb

Denny54 wrote: »

So once my record for 18-19 is updated and it is full year will i be eligible to apply for new style esa?

18/19 will only be relevant to claims after the first Sunday in 2020.

Denny54

sportsarb wrote: »

18/19 will only be relevant to claims after the first Sunday in 2020.

So with just one year i cant claim new style esa?

2016-2017 says
“
We are checking this year to see if it counts towards your pension. We’ll update your record when this is finished, you do not need to do anything.”

How long does that take to update?

calcotti

One year of NI contributions/credits will not qualify you.


Have you ever worked or are the years you have contributions for only credits for receiving carers Allowance?


As per my previous post if you are on a low income you may be able to claim Universal Credit depending on your circumstances.