Ending ESA claim after years

Hi I hope you can help me- you've been very helpful in the past. I have a long term health condition have been in WRAG for years (on IB since 2000) & I'm currently on ESA (CB), but no longer get any benefit paid only NI credits (for past 2 years). After good advice from my Job Centre I've been doing supported Permitted Work for over 1 1/2 years very successfully. I enjoy my job and would like to do more hours now (work is able to offer this).

However, I will earn over £104 allowed, working less than 16 hours week. I really want to do this as 2 shorter days works with my health condition and will be glad to see back of DWP, but I'm tying myself in knots about closing my claim. I've checked everything out. I'll earn just over LEL so will get NI paid/credited through work which should look after my pension. I understand I'll be too short of contributions if I ever need to claim ESA (CB) again as NI ESA benefit credits won't count.

How and when do I need to let the DWP know- I don't want a gap in my NI credits? Do I say I'm closing my claim, but my health condition hasn't changed? I don't know when in month NI is credited, but I'm paid monthly by my work. Can they sanction my NI credits if I break the rules? What's the worst that could happen? Could I tell them just before I get paid over the correct amount? Is there any option for an overlap?

Hi Gordon, Thanks for your reply. Does that mean if I close my claim halfway through the year I'll lose 6 months credits? It's really hard to find out how it works with the NI- I just don't want a gap. I've tried so hard to stay in the system.

I did know about 52 week limit, but the Job Centre told me about Supported Permitted Work (which I didn't know about)- as long as you have a Support Worker (I've got one) you can go on beyond 52 weeks and be in WRAG as long as you stay within permitted work rules.

Hi thanks for your help Gordon. You were def right about yearly credits I spoke to HMRC NI helpline, they said every year the DWP told them how many weeks credits you qualify for.

Sadly I 'm sure that is the case about a support worker not necessarily meaning it will be supported work.

In my case I applied for Supported Permitted work with my SW and was accepted for it by DWP and fortunately it clearly says on my acceptance letter that this is Permitted Work for an "unlimited period". So there is a way round the 52 week rule.