I have recently applied for New Style ESA. Received the ESA50 to fill out, then a couple of days later received a letter to say that I hadn't made enough contributions in the year 2018/19 so my application for ESA.has been rejected. My question is, my mother has offered to pay the 2018/19 shortfall, would I then be eligible to claim ESA? I stopped work in Sept 2018 due to ill health but never claimed any benefits because my husband was supporting me. Now he has been made redundant so I now need to claim.what I can
I'm afraid you cannot purchase the NI Contributions or Credits that you require, you can only purchase Class 3 or 4 NI Credits and your need Class 1 or Class 2 Contributions and/or Credits which can only be acquired through paid employment or registered self-employment.
You can continue with the ESA claim by completing and returning the ESA50 and if you are found to have Limited Capability for Work then you will then receive NI Credits which will count towards a full State Pension but you will not be entitled to any payment of ESA.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
