Frogman
You can make a new claim for ESA, you will need to provide a current Fit Note for it to be progressed. Have a look at our ESA Claim guides for details of the process and the eligibility criteria.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1 You will only be entitled to ESA(IR) as your NI Contribution history will not allow a claim for ESA(CB), this is dependant on your household income, assets and savings and any hours that a partner works.
Asset rule for ESA(IR) 24 hour work rule for ESA(IR) There may also be questions over how you have disposed of the pension lump sum, but you should tackle this if and when it happens.
Gordon
