Can one still claim ESA not UC ?

[Deleted User]

Im trying to help out my ex partner on all things money. Basically he had a stroke and brain seizures thats left him classed as blind, unable to work, shakes etc. His wife left him and is divorcing him. Ive stepped in to try and work through the minefield of benefits despite us being estranged for many years. He’s my kids dad so I have to help for their sake as its upsetting seeing him struggle

We applied for PIP and from a home visit he got enhanced care and enhanced mobility.

At the divorce mediation the mediator asked if he got ESA? I said Id look into it. He definitely cannot claim Universal credit due to savings which he may lose in the divorce to keep his house. He has paid class 2 National Insurance conts up to tax year ending 2018 and we could make voluntary contributions to fill up to April 2019 ( he had no income then but no benefit either )

Where Ive looked seems to talk about Universal credit, but can people still claim the old ESA contributory based one ?
Any help would be massively appreciated !
Is every area Universal credit only now ?

45002

This may be of help, read on

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-esa-claim-form




.

calcotti

If he claims 'new style' ESA they will look at his NI contributions from April 2017 to March 2019. If he makes his voluntary Class 2 contributions to complete this period he can apply.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

'New style' ESA is rebranding of the old contribution based ESA.

jobseeking_help

A cynic might suggest this was a cunning plan to stop people claiming ESA and have them claim UC... I couldn't possibly comment

Yes, search for new style ESA in Gov.uk. searching for ESA will only take you to UC

calcotti

jobseeking_help wrote: »

Yes, search for new style ESA in Gov.uk. searching for ESA will only take you to UC

Not for me. I just did this https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=ESA&order=relevance and the first four results are
https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
https://www.gov.uk/send-fit-note
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-esa-claim-form