coming off ESA, concerns about 'what if'

Hi

I'm on Contribution based ESA support group. I've been lucky enough to have been offered a job that I think I might be able to do. It's a bit of a risk - I've been in hospital for months and months in 2013-2014 so I'm nervous. I know there's a 12-week linking rule so that if I were to become unwell during the first 12 weeks, I would claim ESA rather than Statutory Sick Pay.

My question more relates to - what happens if I become unwell AFTER 12 weeks, say 20 weeks?

Will I still be eligible to claim for contributory ESA? I have been on ESA for a few years so all my recent tax years are NI credits. My concern is around - if I've been on ESA for years before this job, then get unwell after the 12 week linking rule but before 26 weeks, will I still be eligible to claim ESA? I've looked for the rules on contributory ESA NI contributions but I can't find them anywhere!

Thanks,

Ruby

Hi Ruby,

Once the 12 weeks linking period has passed, you would only be able to reclaim contributory ESA once you have amassed the required number of NI contributions, the NI credits that you have been getting do not count fully towards this. Your only other option would be to claim Income Related ESA if you are eligible.

This is why we ask people to be very careful before closing their ESA claim! Is there any way you could undertake Permitted Work before making your decision?

Permitted Work