I'm struggling to understand a letter I received from Job Centre Plus and nobody there has been able to explain so hopefully someone here can help here. I made a claim for New Style ESA as I was made redundant and am too sick to work due to long term health problems. I'm unable to claim UC due to having over £16k in savings (mostly from my redundancy pay and PILON).
The letter I received states "We cannot pay you because you have not paid, or been credited with, enough National Insurance Contributions.)
If I understand correctly: Current Benefit year: 2024 Relevant Tax Years: 2021-2022 and 2022-2023
If I check my NI record I see 2022 to 2023 Full year National Insurance credits: 52 weeks
2021 to 2022 Full year Paid employment: £722.43 National Insurance credits: 8 weeks
I don't understand why this does not qualify me for NS ESA as I have a full year of contributions from credits or paid employment for both tax years. Could someone explain please?
Additionally I was off sick for a significant period and returned back to work just after the start of the 2023-2024 tax year. My NI record shows 2023 to 2024 Full year Paid employment: £2,014.64 National Insurance credits: 2 weeks
Assuming it is correct I'm not eligible for NS ESA now. Would this mean if I'm not eligible for NS ESA now could I apply again in the new benefit year and meet the criteria?
