New Style Esa

angelaand3

Good afternoon, please could someone advise me? I have spina bifida, a stoma and am a full time wheelchair user. I work 3 days a week but am struggling with this. My husband died 15 years ago when my daughter was 2 so I receive widows parents allowance and will do until the end of August 2025. 
i know that I am not entitled to new style esa while receiving this benefit but I’m not sure if I can carry on working until this time. 
I know that I have to have paid enough NI contributions to receive new style esa but if I was to give up working this year would I then be eligible to claim esa next August or do I have to have been receiving NI contributions right before I put my esa claim in? 
I have worked since I was 16 and am now 50 if that makes any difference. 
Thank you in advance.

Alice_Holt

Eligibility for new style ESA  depends on your NI contributions in the 2 previous tax years prior to claiming:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/check-if-you-can-claim-esa/


https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

If you were to claim in Aug 2025 - it would look at NI contributions in the tax years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

 

angelaand3

Ok great.  Thank you for your help