Savings and ESA

Apologies if this is a little long winded. I'm in the support group of income related ESA and have been for six years. I'm about to inherent £150 k I understand I then am no longer eligible to income related but can I then move to contribution based?

Re the NI contributions where do I stand on that then? If I haven't worked I understand someone pays me class 1 but will that let me be eligible?

I live in a house now with terrible neighbours the police are involved as he threatens me etc etc I was hoping to sell this house and use the inheritance to move to a better area it makes me cross my parents worked hard to leave me a better life but I won't be able to as I will have to use the inheritance to live off or am I allowed to plain contribution ESA? Thanks

Hi and Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Once your assets reach £16,000, you will not be entitled to income-related ESA.

You can only claim contributory ESA if you have made sufficient NI payments in the last 2 full tax years. You will be getting NI credits while you are on ESA but these, by themselves, are not enough for a claim for contributory benefit (all they do, on their own, is go towards your State Retirement Pension). It is not possible to make these up by paying a lump sum now.

So, at first glance it looks as if you will have to live off your inheritance. However, I do suggest you get face to face advice from a trained benefits adviser as we do not know the details of your situation. Try doing an internet search for 'welfare advise' and your postcode or town.

If you have further questions please reply to this message and we will do our best to help. You will find it easily in future if you bookmark/favourite on your web browser now