I know this is off topic but I thought you might like an update. I applied for CB ESA (in June) after claiming CB JSA (in March) for a couple of months and was refused despite working 3 jobs in the last tax year and earning above the NI threshold. I posted here and got some, as always, good advise and got a solicitor. It has all become much clearer and this is why. I think it was Gordon who suggested this in the first place. The JSA claim shared one year with the ESA claim but one year was different and although I earned way above the NI threshold in that full tax year - every job you have is treated as your only job for NI purposes, so for example I could earn 300 pounds a week at 100 pounds per job and not pay or be credited with NI at any class rate because the threshold is currently 109 pounds a week. I will not be able to ever make that up at class 1.
