Older couple advice please

I am 63 and in receipt of PIP and ESA contribution based. My husband is 64 and is now sick. He retired early to care for me and has not claimed jobseekers or anything other than a carers allowance for me. He has contributed for more than his quota since he was 15! Now, he has liver/spleen/platelet issues/low immune system and a bleeding disorder. Last year he got skin cancer and had lymph operation. He did get all clear but will remain on the cancer register for 5 years. Should he be entitled to apply for ESA? Will he need a ESA50 form. We both have small works pensions and savings and own our own home. Do savings count on contribution based ESA? It is just not knowing where to start but I do believe that he should be entitled to something having lived of savings since his retirement. Thanks for any advice.

Many thanks Gordon. Now will he need a doctor sick note initially? He is retired from work so not sure if he will need a GP sick note when he hasn’t worked for 5+ years although has been claiming careers allowance.

New style ESA now through. Thanks. I know that pension is taken into account. How about his carers benefit. Does he lose carers allowance if claiming NS ESA? When would he expect to progress onto the support group. He has not had a medical and they never asked to see his sick note.