The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified whether or not benefit claimants can receive payments for the new-style Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The Daily check-in reports that you may be able to claim the New Style ESA with or in place of universal credit, although this depends on your national insurance record and people should be aware that any universal credit payment is reduced by the amount you get for ESA.
The DWP has provided a comprehensive list of examples covering different situations on the GOV.UK website that shows how much you could get from each benefit individually or at the same time.
New Style ESA is a contributory benefit for those who are ill or have a health problem or disability that limits their ability to work. This normally means that you may be able to get it if you have paid or been credited with sufficient national insurance contributions in the two full tax years preceding the year in which you make the claim. .
Why claim New Style ESA?
Your or your partner’s savings will not affect the amount of New Style ESA you get paid and if your partner is working, it will not affect your claim.
Income is not taken into account, but a personal pension may affect the amount you can receive.
While you receive the New Style ESA, you will earn Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help pay for your state pension and other contributory benefits.
New Style ESA is paid every two weeks.
Eligibility
To get the New Style ESA, you usually need to have worked for the past two or three years and have paid or been credited with Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions. It can be a job or self-employment.
You can check how much national insurance you paid on GOV.UK.
You will also need an adjustment note, sometimes called a âsick note,â but you can start applying before you get one.
If you’ve just fallen ill, you can self-certify for the first seven days.
New Style ESA lasts 365 days if you are in the work related group.
There is no time limit if you are in the support group.
To continue to benefit from ESA, you must report any changes in your situation.
To apply for New Style ESA online, you will need your National Insurance Number, your bank account or mortgage company number and your sort code, name, address and number. phone number of your doctor, details of your income if you are working and the date of your statutory illness. Pay (SSP) ends if you claim it.
You cannot get the New Style ESA if you are receiving Statutory Sickness Benefit (SSP) from an employer.
You can apply for New Style ESA up to three months before the end of your SSP.
Learn more about the New Style ESA claim on the GOV.UK website.
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