Advice needed please. ESA?

Jaycie

It sounds like you are receiving Incapacity Benefit as a Credits only claim.

All IB claims are being transferred to ESA.

We can't be specific as to whether it is worth you going through the process or not, it is possible (although remotely) that when transferred to ESA you may receive payments, even if you do not then you will continue to receive NI Credits.

NI Credits count towards a full State Pension so there is value in your continuing to receive them, especially with the planned changes to the Pension system due to come into effect from 2015.

I would advise you to get face to face advice from a trained advisor, they can look at your NIC history to tell you whether you have already acquire sufficient contributions or whether you still need to receive them.

Gordon

Jaycie wrote: Thank you Gordon for your reply, but if I did say forget the ESA
could it affect my DLA?

I just cannot cope with this at the moment as I have numerous family problems I would rather say when they phone to just forget it.

Thanks

I really recommend that you check your Contribution history before doing so as this could have financial implications to you in the long term.

You do not need to take the phone call, it is being made to see whether you have any questions about the process, if you do not, then it will simply progress to the next stage which is to issue an ESA50 form. This is a decision point in the process, you either need to complete and return this form or close your claim, but it will be a couple of weeks before you receive it so that you can make an informed decision whether to continue or not.

Gordon

Jaycie wrote: Thank you Gordon for your reply.

Could this affect my DLA if I ask them to forget the ESA as I just cannot cope with it at the moment. I have family problems.

Thanks

There should be no issue with your DLA, but I would recommend your formally closing your ESA claim if that is what you decide to do, rather than allowing it to fail by not responding as this may cause other problems.

Gordon