ESA Contributions Based - ni credits allowable?

Spoonie_Turtle

Simes122 said:

She’s a childcare practitioner so cannot do that anymore and she’s been that all her life.  In theory she could work from home doing something but I’m doubtful that at her age and with the relapsing/remitting nature if her cancer and needs for treatment cycles it’s that practical or likely she’ll find anything to suit.

In that case, definitely look at PIP when she next has to have treatment. 

(In terms of working from home, employers still have to make reasonable adjustments for disabling health conditions and have sickness policies and pay. Or she could consider something freelance, crafting or writing or whatever, which she could do as and when she's able. If there isn't financial pressure because you earn enough, then it could perhaps be something to consider for the longer term without the need to jump into anything straight away.)

When she next needs treatment, if your earnings drop because of needing to care for her, definitely look into UC again. Certain treatments automatically qualify someone for the LCWRA element which then gives a higher maximum award and a work allowance, meaning less of your earnings are taking into account. Also if she then qualified for PIP and you were looking after her you would be eligible for the carer element of UC too.

Of course I hope your wife stays as well as possible for as long as possible, but also you should be aware of what safety nets there are for when things do change.

whizzywoo

I can't help with the benefits situation but what @Spoonie_Turtle said about crafting is relevant I think.

If she is good at making things and people who look after children often are, maybe sewing, knitting, or jewellery making.  Does she have a hobby she could turn into a little business, working from home and selling online.

I did this for quite a few years when I was struggling with arthritis and caring for my husband.  I sold on an online Marketplace called Etsy.  It was a life-saver for me, gave me something to do and you meet other people online who also sell and it gives you something else to think about instead of moping.

I used to sew book and bible covers and sold them all over the world and I also made and sold dolls' house miniatures.  Reading, sewing and miniatures were all hobbies of mine.

Simes122

Thanks all - appreciated.  Simon

calcotti

Simes122 said: Makes my blood boil when people are clearly abusing the system and getting the taxes my wife has contributed all her life, and she gets a specific cancer and qualifies for nothing.

A small number of people abuse the benefits system just as some people abuse the tax system and others the NHS. In all area she of life some people will seek to bend the rules and exploit the system.

Simes122 said: It seems wrong that the very illness that qualified her for support and put her into a position of needing NI credits, which she received, yet these credits now disqualify from the same benefit now she needs it again.  

Those credits do not disqualify her. They are enabling her to meet one of the qualification requirements. Unfortunately she does not meet the other requirement.

The sequence of events for your wife is particularly unfortunate. As you say yourself it’s actually her employer paying her holiday pay rather than sick pay that has tripped her up plus the fact that the period of payment straddled two tax years. Had she had them all within one tax year she might have met the NI requirements.

Sadly the alternative ‘what if things hadn’t been different’ don’t change the rules. Good luck to you both and I hope your wife’s treatment goes well.