I have an appointment Monday for an esa claim but i'm worried i may not be eligible after looking into it more. Although i've been in work for 12 years and paid more than £20k in national insurance there was a gap of 6 months within the last 2 tax years where i left employment. I then went back on a much lower salary. From what i understand on the gov website i won't qualify because of that. Here's what i paid in ni:
2015/16-earned £25500 payed £1745 national insurance
2016/17-earned £25100 payed £1633 national insurance
2017/18-earned £4900 payed £273 national insurance
2018/19-earned £15500 payed £805 national insurance
My understanding is for 2017/18 i haven't earned the lower income threshold which would be £5650 for that year. I've never claimed any benefits before but have mental health issues now and really need this money as i'm out of work again due to me health. I won't qualify for any means tested benefits as i live with my girlfriend who earns more than £16k a year. I still pay for half of everything and we don't share our incomes but that doesn't seem to matter.
Advice on esa would be appreciated. I'd like to know if i definitely will not get it due to this gap in employment or whether any discretion is allowed in awarding it.