NS ESA and contribution based ESA question

Hi ,

Does anyone know if contribution based ESA is only awarded for 6 months or is it one year?

I have paid NI and recieved it but only for 6 months.

I have also applied for and been granted NS ESA and am in the support group .
Can I reapply for income related ESA as well ( if it is for 365 days ) for the remaining 6 months?

I hope this makes sense and thankyou so much for the information here, which has already helped me so much. It really seems like the one place you can trust.

Hi Sarah

Thank you for your warm comments.

If you are placed in the support group then CB ESA is an indefinite award whilst you are in the support group, if you are placed in the WRA group then it will only last for 1 year. This is what we call legacy benefits, which is no longer available for new claimants.

You say that you applied for NS ESA and placed in the support group, if you apply for NS ESA then you are either placed in the LCW group or LCWRA group. If you are placed in the LCWRA group then like CB ESA it is an indefinite award until you are re-assessed and placed in either LCW group or found fit for work.

In answer to your question can you apply for IR ESA, IR ESA is a legacy benefit and is no longer available for new claimants.

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for UC.

Gary