It depends upon which type of ESA you qualify for. There are different types of ESA:
- Income Related ESA
- Contribution related ESA
- New style ESA
Income related ESA IS means tested. The Department for Work and Pensions will look at your income, your partner’s income and your savings and some other factors to see whether you qualify or not.
The other types of ESA (contribution related or new style) are not means tested. Claimants might be able to claim this version if they’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions over the last 2 to 3 years. However, contribution related ESA is only paid for 12 months as a maximum if you’re put in the Work Related Activity Group.
Yes there are lots of good calculators you can use, but just be aware that you do have to input quite a lot of data before you see the decision.
I’d take a look at the following:
- turn2us.org.uk
- entitledto.co.uk
These are both approved by the GOV.UK website.
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