NI contributions

Do NI credits that were awarded under previous IB claims count towards the eligibility assessment for a current claim for Contribution-based ESA?

carmind wrote: Do NI credits that were awarded under previous IB claims count towards the eligibility assessment for a current claim for Contribution-based ESA?

Hi c,

If this is with regards to someone in receipt of IB being transferred over to ESA, then in that scenario, if successfully transferred, the claimant would be entitled to CB ESA, see :

What will I be transferred to? ,

from our :

IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s .

However, if the claimant is placed into The WRAG, in receipt of CB ESA only, then payment of CB ESA will only continue for 365 days.

There is no such 365 day limit to entitlement of CB ESA only, if placed into The SG, see :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) , from our : ESA FAQ’s .

If it is a fresh claim for ESA, it will depend on when the NI Credits whilst in receipt of IB were paid, and whether they had any NI Contributions gained from employment,

This would be assessed on the two full previous qualifying years.

You may also find this copy and paste of one of Gordon's recent responses to a similar query helpful.

" In order to qualify for ESA(CB) after your previous claim was time limited, you need to meet threee Contribution Conditions. The following is a simplified version

1, You need to have 12 months of NI Contributions in the two preceding tax years to the current benefit year.

2. You need to have two years of NI Contributions and/or NI Credits in the two preceding tax years to the current benefit year.

3. One of the years used must be later than the years used in the original claim.

The Benefit year is 2013.

The tax years are 2010-2011 and 2011 and 2012.

You will meet the requirements for (2) and (3) due the payment of your IB/ESA from which you received NI Credits.

You cannot meet the requirements for (1) as you will not have accrued any NI Contributions during the relevent tax years. NI Contribuitions can only be accrued by paid employment or registered self-employment.

No one who was previously receiving IB will be able to re-qualify for ESA(CB) without them working as they will have no NI Contributions in the relevant tax years."

bro58