BENEFITS EXPERT: How will making a ‘New Style’ claim affect my finances?

I used the online service in order to make my claim and have since been notified by The DWP that my payment/claim cannot be determined until they see a Universal Credit statement/claim notice. I have not claimed Universal Credit as my partner is in work and his salary means we would not be entitled to the benefit. I have sort advice about benefits and was told I would not be entitled to UC due to my partner's earnings. Is this correct that I must claim UC in order to get a contribution based benefit even though the UC claim will result in no award of that benefit?

A. You are correct that there is no requirement to make a claim for UC to get another benefit, in this case a benefit paid based on National Insurance contributions. However we are aware that the advice given by the DWP to you is being given out nationally and it is a known issue. The matter has been raised with DWP stakeholders and it has been confirmed the advice given by the DWP is incorrect and there is no requirement to make a claim for UC in order to get New Style ESA. Steps are in place to correct the incorrect advice and your claim should be processed although they may be a delay in getting payment. If you are able to support yourself financially during the delay then your benefit will be paid from the date you made your claim. For those of you who might not be able to support yourself during the delay our advice would be to obtain a benefit check to see if UC may be payable, even if only a few pounds and make a claim whilst this administration issue is resolved.

Q. I have made a claim for New Style Job Seekers Allowance, I have paid the requisite National Insurance as I have worked a number of years. However the claim was turned down as I also have an occupational pension. Is this correct as I thought contribution based benefits ignore other types of income?

A. Although in general contribution based benefits are not reduced due to other income or the income of spouses/partners some types of income are taken into account and may result in a zero award of benefit. As far as occupational/private pensions are concerned then these are counted as income and can reduce or result in a nil award so unfortunately the decision of the DWP is correct. You can still continue with a nil award claim in order to obtain National Insurance credits to protect your overall contributions record, currently during lockdown there is no requirement to "sign on". We would advise that if you wish to continue with a "credits only" claim that you speak to the DWP as there has been no guidance given on "nil awards" during lockdown and request you still wish to continue with the claim to protect your NI credits.