Claiming NI payments?

kazza_uk

Hi all

{This is my first post on here, so apologies if its in the wrong section}

I don't work anymore... I worked from the age of 17... until November last year (age 40) solidly. Last year I got ill and was off work for 6 months...then when I went back to work, I was made redundant

At this time I spoke to the Tax Office and asked about Tax and they weren't really that helpful as I wanted to know about my NI payments. Do I have to carry on paying them or can I claim for them?

I don't claim any benefits, I'm not entitled to JSA and not ill enough for IB so I have no personal income whatsoever... so my question is, although I am not entitled to any benefits, is there a procedure/benefit for getting your NICS paid?

Also...an aside question... having no income and paying no tax, does that make me a UK Resident Non-Tax Payer? I need to know that to determine if I can reclaim the tax paid on my pitiful savings interest.

healy

If you claim JSA you will get National Insurance credits that will keep your record up to date, but you would have to sign on and be available and looking for work etc. The other way would be to pay class 3 voluntary NI conts.

If your income is less than your yearly personal tax allowance then you would be a non tax payer and could claim the tax on your interest from savings.

pukkamum

I would send off for a pension forecast to see where you are in terms of NI payments. it will give you a clear picture of how much more you would need to pay to get a full pension.
You may be able to make a lump payment in a few years.

kazza_uk

Thanks for the replies so far... although I am very confused!!

I have no idea about benefits at all, so am unaware if I am actually entitled to claim *something*. All I know is that because I got a small redundancy payoff (sub £20,000), that means I have more than £16,000 of savings so can't claim JSA.

However, my savings are going down monthly as I pay my bills/mortgage etc, plus I am still paying for dentist treatment and prescriptions.... am I allowed to claim for those now?

TBH I really know nothing about benefits, apart from what the tax man told me when I called them. I left school at 17, got a job and have worked non-stopped since... so have no idea how things work.

calleyw

kazza_uk wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far... although I am very confused!!

I have no idea about benefits at all, so am unaware if I am actually entitled to claim *something*. All I know is that because I got a small redundancy payoff (sub £20,000), that means I have more than £16,000 of savings so can't claim JSA.

However, my savings are going down monthly as I pay my bills/mortgage etc, plus I am still paying for dentist treatment and prescriptions.... am I allowed to claim for those now?

TBH I really know nothing about benefits, apart from what the tax man told me when I called them. I left school at 17, got a job and have worked non-stopped since... so have no idea how things work.

If you have worked and paid enough NI you can claim contribution JSA and I believe that has nothing to do with any income or savings.

If you are long term medication then you want to look at a pre paid certificate. Cost about a £100 a year. Means you bet all perscriptions free and you can pay over 10 months.

All the best.

Yours

Calley

stazi

If you are fit and available for work, then as healy says in post #2 you can claim Job Seekers Allowance by calling 0800 055 6688.
If you are ill and cannot work, then you can claim Incapacity Benefit on the same number above.
More info about all benefits is here-
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/workage/

kelloggs36

Contribution based JSA is payable if you are able to actively seek work; if you can't get incapacity benefit then you must be fit for work and so you should be able to claim it. It is payable for a max of 6 months and is currently £60.50 per week.