Can I claim anything

BOBS

I am self employed with annual profit of around £3k but pay the £11/12 per month NI contributions.

I am feeling pretty unwell at the moment and not sure how much longer I can continue to work - wonder where I stand if I need to stop working - cant I claim anything at all ?

(Married with kids and DH works full time and we get tax credits)

Many thanks for any help.

epitome

You won't get JSA, - Partner working F/T. And you have not been employed between April 2009 - April 2011 ???
You won't get IS - partner working F/T

You will only get ESA (with doctors sicknotes) - If you satisfy the ESA C conditions for NI payments since April 2009 - April 2011 only way to find out would be to apply with ongoing sick notes.

Your partner may get Working tax credits

Then there is child tax credits
Child Benefit
Help with rent - from your council
Help with Council tax - from your council

BOBS

Havent been employed since 2002.
What is ESA conditions for NI payments? - have been paying for 8 years as self employed.
We already get tax credits so expect if income down may get more but thats for end of financial year.
We have a mortgage so no help there and live in Northern Ireland so pay rates.
Thanks for posting back.

[Deleted User]

self employed NI cont wont get you anything other than a state pension,
this is incorrect sorry for any confusion i was confusing esa with another benefit

BOBS

thanks - worth checking.

McKneff

Do you get ESA if you have paid 2 lots of NI contributions, can't remember the numbers.

What class/s have you been paying OP

BOBS

Paid normal paye level from school until dd2 - so 8 years plus. Then another 8 years self employed at the 10/11 pounds a month level. Dont know what class they are.

epitome

woodbine wrote: »

self employed NI cont wont get you anything other than a state pension,sorry

This is not true,

Self Employed NI does count towards ESA. Please stop saying that it does not.

BOBS wrote: »

Havent been employed since 2002.
What is ESA conditions for NI payments? - have been paying for 8 years as self employed.

It's complicated,
1st condition is that you must have paid class 2 on earnings of atleast lower earnings limit (i.e. £95 per week 09/10 & £97 per week 10/11) for 26 weeks not necessarily consecutive, in either tax year

2nd condition must have paid class 2 on earnings of 50 times LEL
i.e.
£4750 9/10
£4850 10/11
i.e. total earnings must be at least this for each tax year.

However there is still a grey area about the rules for class 2, they may require 50 weeks of class 2 paid in each tax year.

As I said, the only real way to find out is to make a claim.

pmlindyloo

Quite a good guide if you google 'adviceguide NI contributions.' Sorry can't post a link.

It sounds as if the OP has paid Class 2 NI contributions. These (if he meets the required amount) entitles him to the same benefits as Class 1 (paid by employees) except for contribution based JSA.