Re-applying

Shirley wrote: I am just coming to the end of my year receiving contribution based esa. And would like some advise re applying again. I worked for my previous employer for 11 years so the question of whether or not I paid enough tax is negligible. My medical conditions are the same with a some worsening. And I would like to know your thoughts on my rights to re-apply.
Shirley

It's not whether you have paid tax that will be checked but whether you paid for National Insurance Contributions, however if you worked for the last eleven years then this should not be a problem

To qualify for a second year of ESA(CB) you will need to meet the Contribution Conditions for the Tax Years 2015-16 and 2016-17. One of these years has to be newer than the one that you originally qualified with.

You need at least 26 weeks of NI Contributions in one of the years and at least 50 weeks of NI Contributions or Credits in both of the years. You will need to wait 12 weeks from when your ESA(CB) stops before you can make a new claim for ESA(CB).

Have you looked at whether you would be eligible for Income Related ESA? If you are then you can continue to receive ESA without interruption. ESA(IR) is dependant on your household income, your savings and assets, and any hours that your partner works. See

Asset and savings rule for ESA(IR)

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Gordon