Is this right, is this fair?

Vedder2008

It has come to my knowledge today via my sister that when on incapacity benefit, you get your N.I stamp paid for you so you get a better state pension when the time comes?

chesky369

Not better, just keeps you falling below the normal state pension when it's time to retire.

System

National Insurance credits are added to your contribution record in certain circumstances including having limited capability to work.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm

seven-day-weekend

You are also credited with contributions if you are unemployed and claiming Jobseekers' Allowance, or not working and claiming Child Benefit or Carers' Allowance.

The idea is so that people who are unable to work either through sickness, caring responsibiliies or having lost their job through no fault of their own do not fall behind with their State Pension. They do not get a better pension than those who pay through working, in most cases less as they will not have so much SERPS nor an Occupational Pension.

It seems entirely fair to me.

Vedder2008

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

You are also credited with contributions if you are unemployed and claiming Jobseekers' Allowance, or not working and claiming Child Benefit or Carers' Allowance.

The idea is so that people who are unable to work either through sickness, caring responsibiliies or having lost their job through no fault of their own do not fall behind with their State Pension. They do not get a better pension than those who pay through working, in most cases less as they will not have so much SERPS nor an Occupational Pension.

It seems entirely fair to me.

You say you don't get a better pension but I have to differ as my other sister who worked far more years than my sister on incapacity does in actual fact get less pension. Because she also has a very small private pension she also has to pay full council tax [less 25% as she lives on her own], where as my other sister who has been on incapaity for the last 20 years because she gets odd migrains now and again pays nthing in council tax so you tell me who is better off?

seven-day-weekend

Your sister who was on Incapacity Benefit must have worked at some point as IB is a Contributory benefit.

Council Tax Benefit is based on total income.

Every pensioner will have a minimum of around £130 for a single person and £200 for a couple. If any of this is from Pension Credit (Income Support for Pensioners), then they will not have to pay rent or Council tax.

If your sister who worked paid Married Womens' NI, she will have no entitlement to Pension in her own right but will be able to claim 60% of her husband's. But this will be a choice that she made herself at the time(and I'm glad to say the option was removed in 1974).

dmg24

Vedder2008 wrote: »

You say you don't get a better pension but I have to differ as my other sister who worked far more years than my sister on incapacity does in actual fact get less pension. Because she also has a very small private pension she also has to pay full council tax [less 25% as she lives on her own], where as my other sister who has been on incapaity for the last 20 years because she gets odd migrains now and again pays nthing in council tax so you tell me who is better off?

Your sister has clearly been unwell for a very long time. You are very sad to be questioning her entitlement to a half decent standard of living. I really think you should look at your own values, and stop picking at the entitlement of those less fortunate.

Vedder2008

dmg24 wrote: »

Your sister has clearly been unwell for a very long time. You are very sad to be questioning her entitlement to a half decent standard of living. I really think you should look at your own values, and stop picking at the entitlement of those less fortunate.

You clearly do not know my sisters lifestyle or in fact anything else about her.
She worked until the age of 17 then went on to have two children which she brought up on benefits on her own as she never married.
When they left home in their early teens she went on sick with migraines [although no one in the family has ever seen her have one in all of those 20 odd years and it has always been questionable. We know she was on drugs and it has been suggested this is the real reason for being on incapacity benefit. I know and I'm sure a lot of people will know someone who suffers with migraines that work full time jobs.
Yes I do question her entitlement to the amount she gets compaired to my other sister who has worked. I thought your N'I contributions were all about how much you would benefit when you retire, or at least that's what you are lead to believe.
So are you suggesting then that my sister that worked isn't worthy of the same standard of living that my other sister is entitled to for not working, no Im not sad at all, I just think like a lot more people in this country that the more you try the more you get sh*t on.

dmg24

Vedder2008 wrote: »

You clearly do not know my sisters lifestyle or in fact anything else about her.
She worked until the age of 17 then went on to have two children which she brought up on benefits on her own as she never married.
When they left home in their early teens she went on sick with migraines [although no one in the family has ever seen her have one in all of those 20 odd years and it has always been questionable. We know she was on drugs and it has been suggested this is the real reason for being on incapacity benefit. I know and I'm sure a lot of people will know someone who suffers with migraines that work full time jobs.
Yes I do question her entitlement to the amount she gets compaired to my other sister who has worked. I thought your N'I contributions were all about how much you would benefit when you retire, or at least that's what you are lead to believe.
So are you suggesting then that my sister that worked isn't worthy of the same standard of living that my other sister is entitled to for not working, no Im not sad at all, I just think like a lot more people in this country that the more you try the more you get sh*t on.

If she has managed to get through the IB medicals (of which she will have had several over twenty years), I have no reason to doubt whether her condition is genuine. After all, she has been able to satisfy medical professionals of her incapacity to work, so your opinion does not count.

If your working sister does not receive the same income as your non working sister it is likely she will be eligible for Pension Credits. Sadly ascertaining eligibility for further help does not seem to be your motivation for starting this thread, but rather to have a go at your unwell sister. Maybe you should try to understand your sister's condition, rather than just doubting her?

You should be ashamed of yourself.

calleyw

This is a rant about policy and not about entitlement.

I believe that this thread needs to me moved over DT.

Why is everyone thinks that being disabled in any shape or form means that benefits get chucked at you and that you live a life of luxury (where is the rolling eye smiley gone when you need it )

Prehaps you need a walk mile in someones shoes. Prehaps my husband. Oh that would be right he can't walk a mile. He is in discomfort the moment he puts his foot on the floor first thing in the morning until last thing at night. He tires quickly and has a dropped foot due to a stroke so that means he is at risk of tripping and falling.

If you feel the policy is wrong rather than waste time and energy ranting on a internet forum. Do something talk to your MP etc etc etc.

Yours

Calley

DX2

Sister spats aren't they just grand.