National insurance & SMP

Alibali

Hi,

Quick question....

I am about to start maternity leave, I will only receive SMP from my employer, from my workings SMP isn't enough for NI to be deducted. So do I have to pay my own NI payments and if so who do I contact?

I need to make sure my NI is up to date, the contract that I am working on ends before my mat leave finishes so I will be unemployed and will have to claim JSA at the end of December until I find another job.

I have never signed on before, worked since i turned 16 (now 27) So have paid plenty of NI, but do not want to take the risk of not paying and then not being able to claim whilst I look for work.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Not if you intend to claim child benefit as you will be covered under HRP.

Edit: just realized HRP was scrapped April 2010 however you are still covered whilst on Maternity http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/state-pensions/national-insurance-credits

Alibali

Deleted_User wrote: »

Not if you intend to claim child benefit as you will be covered under HRP.

Edit: just realized HRP was scrapped April 2010 however you are still covered whilst on Maternity http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/state-pensions/national-insurance-credits

Thanks for that :jI intend to claim child benefit, however, considering the way the government is going about things Im sure it wont be long before we no longer qualify!

t0rt0ise

Deleted_User wrote: »

Not if you intend to claim child benefit as you will be covered under HRP.

Edit: just realized HRP was scrapped April 2010 however you are still covered whilst on Maternity http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/state-pensions/national-insurance-credits

HRP is replaced by Carer's Credit which gives you NI credits while receiving child benefit for a child under 12.

chrisbur

You do not allways have to actually be paying NI to be treated as paying NI. If your earnings are equal to or above the Lower Earnings Limit (£107 a week for 12/13) then you are treated as if you were paying NI though actual payment does not begin untill you earn £146 a week or more.

If your SMP is below this then I believe that you can get Class 1 credits but may have to apply for them...
"If you think you should get any of the other National Insurance credits shown in the table but you don't get them automatically you'll need to apply to HMRC in writing after the end of the tax year.
Send your claim to:
HM Revenue & Customs
National Insurance Contributions & Employer Office
Benton Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ"
Full details at...
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ni/intro/credits.htm

Some credits are class 3 credits which only give credit for state pension and bereavement benefit. Not at all sure about this but it is possible that the credit you get for getting child benefit may be a class 3 credit.