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Why am I receiving no ESA payments?
I'm not sure where to post my question, so if you know a better place please point me there.
Please do not give an answer if you aren't 100% certain. I've been volunteering in this field for the last 3 years, so if this was a common situation I'd know the answer myself.
Situation:
- ESA (Employment & Support Allowance).
- I am in the Support Group.
- I am on Contributions Based.
- I am not receiving any payments.
- I have been told by the DWP that I have negligible NICs, hence no payments.
- I am not eligible for IR-ESA, due to my partner's income (his outgoings are higher than his income though, so he can't support me).
Question:
From my experience in this field helping others with their claims it has always seemed that Support Group isn't means tested though I can't find sources for this- if you read the legislation, once someone's contributions run out they still receive payments if they're in the Support Group. So,
a) Why am I not receiving payments?
b) What do I do about it?
(Nb, I've already spoken to the DWP who have basically said "tough luck", and my MP, who passed me back to the DWP, who again said "tough luck").
I have zero income at present, so this is very urgent.
(Alternatively, if you can suggest a way someone who is bedbound but able to use a computer sometimes, can earn some money, please make suggestions).
1 Answer
- PeggyLuXXXLv 48 years agoFavorite Answer
Hi there.
I noticed nobody has answered yet so I will do my best to help - I can't give you 100% answer but would a 95% be ok? :P
Right, ok so I have read your situation bullet points.. here is my reply.
It isn't true that being in the Support Group equates to being exempt from means tested. It is Income Based that is means tested and Contributions Based that isn't (regardless of the group one is placed in.)
Basically, at the minute you are a "Ghost Claimant" in that you are in the system but left in a kind of "limbo" through lack of payment.
a) Why am I not receiving payments?
- - - - -
My answer: Because you seemingly do not qualify for either type of ESA. You cannot get Income Related ESA because of your partners income and you have been put on Contribution Based ESA because you can't get the other and you remain on this because your NIC's are only "negligible" and not "naught". Therefore you still qualify to be on ESA officially but do not qualify for any payment if that makes sense?
- - - - -
b) What do I do about it?
- - - - -
My answer: There is little you can do about it other than lodging an official appeal (I have given a link to download an appeal form at the bottom of this post..) It can also depend on your age and/or if you receive DLA (Disability Living Allowance) also. If you do not already claim this then you should seriously think about it although from 8th April 2013, new claimants have to now claim PIP (Personal Independence Payment) as this will provide you with an additional (non-means tested) income of between £21 and £134.40 a week.
- - - - -
Also, below is something I found on another web-site for ESA....
"What if I have not paid enough national insurance contributions?
You may be able claim income-related employment and support allowance instead. Any other income or savings either you or a partner have will be taken into account. If you have to much you may not be eligible. Some people are able to receive both contribution-based and income-related ESA. If you have not been able to work from before the age of 20, or 25 in some cases, you may be able to claim ESA in youth without having paid national insurance contributions."
I hope this helps.
Take care.
Lin. x
Source(s): Me
