ESA eligibility

ShinyStarlight1

Hello all

More than a decade ago I became ill. I tried to keep working but slowly my ability to do so declined, and along with that my working hours per week.

I was so intent on trying to keep going, which led to health repercussions in the part of the week I wasn’t at work. Eventually I had to give up work.

I applied for ESA and underwent a LCWRA assessment, where I was told I would be put in the support group for ESA.

However, because my working hours had dwindled as my ability to work gradually declined, I was told I hadn’t paid enough Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (because my wage by then was too low to do so) so wouldn’t receive any ESA.

Am I wrong in thinking this is terribly unfair in people who have become chronically disabled slowly? I can’t help thinking that if my disability had happened quickly, I would’ve been eligible for the ESA (as my work and therefore NIC wouldn’t have diminished) but because it was gradual, slowly sinking me below the Class 1 NIC threshold, I received nothing.

HillStreetBlues

It's not a perfect system and you do seem to be "punished" for keeping on going, but those are the rules however unfair they seem.
If you haven't paid enough Class 1  are you able to claim UC? but that depends on savings and income of you and your partner if you have one.

Are you or have you looked into claiming PIP?

ShinyStarlight1

Hi Hill Street Blues

Yes, I eventually claimed PIP but it has continued to bother me about the ESA because if that happened to me, it will be happening to other people too and it seems wrong. I am lucky that I have my husband’s support but without that, or if he had died before me, I would’ve been close to destitute. I KNOW others will be in this same situation but without the support they need, so I think this is something worth raising by disability charities.
Thanks for your reply though 😊

tacpot12

Universal Credit will support people in this same situation. I don't think it is worth raising as there is already support in place. 

Torry_Quine

ShinyStarlight1 said:

Hi Hill Street Blues

Yes, I eventually claimed PIP but it has continued to bother me about the ESA because if that happened to me, it will be happening to other people too and it seems wrong. I am lucky that I have my husband’s support but without that, or if he had died before me, I would’ve been close to destitute. I KNOW others will be in this same situation but without the support they need, so I think this is something worth raising by disability charities.
Thanks for your reply though 😊

If you were on your own and no income then you'd be entitled to UC. Personally I think it's always better to not have to rely on means tested benefits which can change . 

I can't get ESA either because of this ruling but do get my NI paid.