Hi Cara M
They should have told you, due to your NI contributions you were not entitled to any contributory benefits such as CB ESA and NS ESA.
IR and CB ESA stopped a couple of years ago for new claimants. You now have to apply for NS ESA, New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit and is not means tested with the exception of pension income which can reduce the amount that you receive.
The Income Related benefit that goes with NS ESA is Universal Credit. As UC is an income related benefit all your household incomes would be taken into account, i.e if you had a partner their income would be taken into account when claiming.
www.gov.uk/universal-credit Gary
