ESA - what happens when the 12 months is up?

[hamble99b]

[lancergirl85]

I was on contribution based ESA for almost 2 yrs until the government decided on this new 12 month ruling. I then received a phone call telling me that mine would stop as of 30th April and I wasn't entitled to income based ESA as my partner works full time. I was therefore basically forced into finding a job which I did (temporary contract) and unfortunately had to give it up when my condition got worse. I applied to go onto JSA and after being told that because my job was only a temporary assisgnment going onto JSA would not be a problem but low and behold I am been informed that I am not entitled to JSA because I have not paid enough NI (my NI contributions have been used on my ESA apparently). Until this illness, I have worked for 22 years since leaving school!!

[Dbis22]

lancergirl

Have you paid full NI for 22 years? And they say they've spent it all on less than 2 years ESA. That sounds ridiculous though would not surprise me. I honestly think you should go to the CAB and get their view ..... or try the Benefits and Work forums as some of the people there are VERY switched on. I would be really interested to know how you get on!

Good luck!

[lancergirl85]

yes have paid full NI. Apparently its taken from "relevent years contributions" ~ in my case it was 06/07. the rest of my contributions are not taken into account. I am just "signing on" now to get my NI credits towards my pension.

[kath12341]

Hi ni contributions for benefit purposes are only counted for the last 2 years. So a lot of people suddenly find that they dont qualify for example switching from full to part time hours where NiLevels are not reached , could mean that no benefit entitlment. Have you applied for tax credita as a couple? If you get dla there is apremium added to wtc hope this hleps

[Dbis22]

It really does beggar belief that we can find billions for wars, bankers and all manner of public spending waste but can't give our disabled and old people a fair deal. I am simply amazed!

Will you be able to buy extra years for your pension if you don't have enough? I hope there is some easy solution! Just seems all wrong.

[lancergirl85]

hi Kath we are unable to get tax credits as my partner works full time & a forces pension (after being medically discharged) so it takes us over the £20K threshold. we'll get through as we always have done, but its just so frustrating. Dblox ~ not sure about buying extra years ~ still got 20 years yet before retirement so hopefully will be ok.

Thanks for all your advice and support guys xx

[Hidden]

I was a (very) mature full time student for 5 years before I got ill and discovered that despite my previous twentysome years full contributions I was entitled to absolutely nothing except a pension credit. That meant no help with prescription costs or travelling expenses and because I lived with a partner at the time who had a reasonable income I didn't qualify for income support. The financial pressure was a big part of the end of our relationship and ironically I did receive IS after we split. The worst part about the NI shortfall is that there's no mechanism for making up anything you owe as you have to be in employment. I had a disability rights lawyer look at my case (for free) and she concluded I was a 'convenient statistic' for the government at the time. As far as pension credits are concerned, you only need a total of 30 years and in my case I doubt I'll still be here at pensionable age so am certainly not going to stress about it.

Welfare state = we're not well and it's not fair...

All I can suggest is that you apply for DLA but that entails quite a bit of hoop jumping these days.

Good luck and healthy wishes.