benefits and not paying NI, help

sazzler73

i am on IB and am falling short in NI contributions
Hi

I have been on incapacity benefit for the last 8 years, its up for renewal now but not heard anything yet.
I was worried if i did not get it what i would be entitlied to.
So i rand the DWP and they inform me i would not be entitled to any other benefit as i have not been paying NI contributions as i am not on a income based benefit.
I did not realise this and also that it could effect my pension.

I am 37 years old, what can i do

Can i make up the short fall in some way

would this then help me to get contribution based job seekers if i no longer get my IB as i will need some help. would not get income based JSA as i live with my partner.

Also would this help my pension.

I wish they had told me this 8 years ago as i may of been able to pay some.

I dont really like living of benefits but i am in bad health with a chronic illness and worried that the new ESA rules i will be kicked off it.

any advice will help

Hammyman

You can apply for a statement and a projection of your State Pension. You can then make a top up payment. This will sort out your pension but not make you eligible for contributions based benefits.

If you're as bad as you say, you won't be kicked off ESA.

andyandflo

Hammyman wrote: »

You can apply for a statement and a projection of your State Pension. You can then make a top up payment. This will sort out your pension but not make you eligible for contributions based benefits.

If you're as bad as you say, you won't be kicked off ESA.

You are being serious aren't you?

There are many seriously ill people that are in fact 'kicked off' or fail to pass the DWP Medical? How many actually die, waiting for their appeal to be heard we will never know.

You seriously have to be living in cloud cuckoo land if you believe that every person genuinely entitled to ESA receives it by passing the medical.
Have a look at the figures of those coming away from appeal hearings with it overturned in their favour.
By your argument, there would be a lot fewer appeals.

babymoo

OP, don't be afraid of having to switch to ESA, it's not the easiest benefit to get and the way the medical is run is hardly perfect by any means, it is difficult but it is supposed to be it's to stop the people that genuinely don't need it from getting it. As has been said, if you really need it, and i'm not saying you don't then you will get it either through the medical or via appeal.

Mojisola

Your pension will have been protected for the years you have been on IB so don't worry about that.

I don't think there is any way you can pay in order to get contributions based benefits in the future. I'll be interested to hear if that's wrong.

Robbie64

Mojisola wrote: »

Your pension will have been protected for the years you have been on IB so don't worry about that.

I don't think there is any way you can pay in order to get contributions based benefits in the future. I'll be interested to hear if that's wrong.

In addition, the amount of qualifying years needed for a full pension reduced in April to 30 years from 39 years (for a woman) and 44 years (for a man).

In the circumstances of the original poster it will not be possible to purchase contributions to qualify for future entitlement to JSA whilst still receiving Incapacity Benefit.

Hammyman

andyandflo wrote: »

You are being serious aren't you?

There are many seriously ill people that are in fact 'kicked off' or fail to pass the DWP Medical? How many actually die, waiting for their appeal to be heard we will never know.

You seriously have to be living in cloud cuckoo land if you believe that every person genuinely entitled to ESA receives it by passing the medical.
Have a look at the figures of those coming away from appeal hearings with it overturned in their favour.
By your argument, there would be a lot fewer appeals.

Err..
People are whinging about the ESA medicals because they've been quite rightly found capable of doing some sort of work.

sazzler73

ok, thanks for the replies

yes i am worried, i know i cant work and i have letters from consultants to back it up, but people are still getting turned down even when they are dying.

thats why i worry

alwaysonthego_2

IN THE BENEFITS BOARD

This board is for people to work out what they are entitled to, and we hope other forummers will continue to provide invaluable help in this.

However, anyone disrupting threads in this board with their views on the benefits system, making impolite comments about benefits claimaints, or taking part in arguments (whether or not you started them) will have action taken against them

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/365935

Hammyman

Why have you posted this "alwaysonthego"? No such thing has been said.

Hammyman

sazzler73 wrote: »

ok, thanks for the replies

yes i am worried, i know i cant work and i have letters from consultants to back it up, but people are still getting turned down even when they are dying.

thats why i worry

Fair comment and when you've been on IB as long as you have, its quite understandable. Its a shame that you're tarnished with the same brush as the other mob.

You've got plenty of supporting evidence so you should be OK.