Need help with contributions based ESA

[MurderOfGoths]

I've been off work for a couple of weeks due to a constant migraine, and because I was working as a temp they've now let me go.

I figured it would be silly to apply for JSA as I'm not capable of working yet (seeing a neurologist and getting a CT scan soon though), so I applied for contributions based ESA.

I got the decision back and they've said that I don't have enough NI contributions based on the year 2015-2016. Which is not surprising as I wasn't working then, but I was working 2016-2017, and I've read that they can base the decision on one of the two previous tax years.

So can I appeal and ask them to look at 2016-2017? Is there anything specific I should be saying/doing? Help?

There are two contribution conditions for contribution-based ESA. The first one is based on contributions in one of the previous two tax years. But the second condition is based on getting NI credits in both of the previous two tax years. So I don't think you would be successful in appealing.

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

You can apply for income-based ESA regardless of contributions, if your income (and your partner's, if you have one) is low enough.

They will be looking at the tax years 2014-15 and 2015-16. They look at the 2 tax years before the benefit year which starts in January each year.