How Much National Insurance Do I Have To Pay To Claim Incapacity Benefit?

Strike_Team

I'm currently on Incapacity Benefit, and my health's improved to the point where I'm able to work a few hours a week. (I'm working with the DWP's approval.) My next goal is to get off IB entirely, however my worry is that if my health worsens again or I'm not fit enough for regular work I won't be able to claim benefits again, as I have savings which prevent me from claiming means-tested benefits.

I know that if I go back onto IB within 8 weeks of going off it, it will be treated as a continuous claim. However it's not at all clear what the situation is after 8 weeks. Google searches have turned up various vague descriptions of the qualifying rules from the DWP and other sites. The rules for qualifying for IB seem to be based on having paid a certain amount of NI contributions in the last two years prior to claiming IB.

What I'm trying to find is a clear statement of exactly how much NI I have to pay, and when, to qualify for IB in the future. As I'm doing a small amount of self-employed part-time work, I have the option of paying voluntary Class 2 NI contributions, which can be backdated to when I started part-time work.

As I understand there will be some NI contributions paid on my behalf as I am on IB. I want to find out how much these are too.

If anyone can shed light on this aspect of our government's horrifically complicated tax and benefit system I'd be most grateful.

sandralovescats

All that information is on the DWP site

healy

There is a 104 week linking rule where you can reclaim Incapacity Benefit at the same rate if you are not well enough to work.