ESA renewal: concern about CR/IR

Hello!

I recently had to do my first renewal of ESA (I was one of the first to be migrated from IB). Incidentally, for information purposes, ATOS received my form on 13 August and I received an outcome letter on 6 September, so the decision time was three and a half weeks.

Also, interestingly, they stated exactly when the next review would be, this wasn't the case when I received a decision the first time, they also stated that I might or might not have to do another ESA50 when the review time came, which is a bit odd.

But what I am worried about it that last time when I received the ESA award letter it stated that the payment was for income and contributory ESA, this time it says that it is for income-related ESA, and makes no mention of it being contributory.

Will my NI credits be protected? I worked for more than 25 years before I became to ill to carry-on (with a life-long, incurable illness). Is it normal for the award letter not to mention the contribution factor? Will I still be able to get a full state pension (if such a thing exists by then)?

Thank you.
Kathryn.

Which ESA group were you put in each time?

Thank you Mrs H, I have been put into the Support Group both times.

K

I was going to suggest that you might have exhausted your 365 days in the WRAG and are now on income-related benefit - but that is clearly not the case as you have been in the Support Group all along!

Sorry, I should also have said that you will continue to get NI credits as long as your ESA claim is in force. These will count towards your state retirement pension, but not towards any further contributary benefits.

Thank you for that information. Do you think I should not worry about it then?