Finding it impossible to claim NSESA

Dear Forum

I have been trying to claim NSESA since February last year, and thought with the assistance of my local MP my claim was finally approved as I got a phone call explaining that I had been put in the support group.

As I had just transitioned from Working Tax Credits onto Universal Credits, I knew that I wouldn't get both UC and NSESA at the same time, but believed once my UC transition stopped in January I would start to get NSESA.

Unfortunately in February this year I received zero in benefits and the same for March and April as I was told in March that I hadn't claimed NSESA last year, even though reading through the Government website about NSESA at Part 5 it says that you will use a UC50 form to apply for NSESA rather than a ESA50 form, but this is not the case according to NSESA.

I re-applied again in March this year and had to sort out NI contributions, which I had to pay extra for the past 2 years and was told that it would take 48 hours to show on the system, but this was not the case, I have been messed about no end with NI department, who have told me that it can be between 2 and 52 weeks to show on the system.

Finally on Monday this week after so many calls and delays, I have got a verbal confirmation that my Class 2 NI has been paid, as the problem was that my earlier payment had been sent to a year where my NI should have been paid by WTC.

NSESA had told me that I didn't qualify in April as I hadn't made enough Class 1 NI contributions, but as someone who is self-employed the advisor on the phone couldn't understand why I was being refused so wrote to me explaining that I need to send a letter for mandatory reconsideration.

I got another phone call from NSESA shortly after sending this letter and was told that all their waiting on is confirmation from NI to show that my Class 2 has been paid for past 2 years, but this was proving very difficult to get.

The only way to get any support has been to put my rental property on the market again, which I have been trying to sell for the past few years, but its a HMO a nobody wants these properties, but whilst it was being advertise in May, I have been able to get UC again, at a much higher rate due to Limited Capability to Work element added.

Thankfully I have found a buyer, but once the property hopefully sells, I won't get UC due to equity in the house.

I'm struggling most days to function due to so many health problems and have issues with my hearing, but yesterday whilst in hospital with my heart I received a call from NSESA telling me that I can't claim NSESA, and have asked them to call me back or at least record the conversation yesterday so I can get answers to why, if I have paid Class 2 NI and been signed off sick and in a support group, but nobody is going to phone me back and they said they can't record calls.

I'm just so drained filling in forms and provide so much information to spend endless hours - 11 so far this week trying to speak to someone.

It would be nice to get letters from NSESA explaining why I can't get this benefit, but all I keep getting is phone calls telling me I can't claim due to National Insurance problems, but as these I finally resolved, what should I now do.

As far as I know I can claim both NSESA and UC at the same time, but will only get payment for 1, but that's fine, its just when I come off UC, if I have to apply again for NSESA its just hell as clocked up 170 hours already trying to claim.

Sorry for the rant, just still waiting on the phone to speak to an agent and will be put through as soon as they can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!