Carers and NI contributions conditions

wakeupalarm

New claimants of ESA and JSA from 1 November 2010 must work for a minimum number of weeks to meet the first national insurance contribution conditions. The change does not affect the second contribution condition.

Prior to November, a person could earn enough to reach the required total of 25 times the lower earnings limit in fewer than 25 weeks, because all earnings counted towards the total. Now only earnings up to the lower earnings limit in each week count, so claimants must have worked the full number of weeks, now increased from 25 to 26, in order to meet this condition. These 26 weeks need not be consecutive but must now fall within one of the two tax years (April to April), before the benefit year (January to December) in which the claim is made, or in which the limited capability for work or jobseeking period began.. The relaxation of this rule for carers and others by allowing any year to count remains the same.

If someone aged 24 has been a carer but not working for the last 3 tax years before the relevant benefit year the first condition is relaxed so that any year counts and the second condition is met due to being in receipt of Carers Allowance.

Does someone with 30 times lower earnings limit earned over 24 weeks in that "any year" qualify?

Is the new "worked the full 26 weeks" condition relaxed for that "any year" or does this part of the requirement remain for everyone?

jancee_2

It's my understanding that you have to have been employed for at least 26 weeks in any tax year to meet that particular condition. I have no idea how they would work this out though - your NI record shows the amount of earnings on which Class 1 contributions have been paid, but it's a total rather than a breakdown of number of weeks. This is different to credits, which do show the number of weeks.

pmlindyloo

I found this on a recent thread:

New Claims at Jobcentre Plus and when my JSA(C) claim was processed both said I did not qualify for JSA(C).
Asked them to contact the National Insurance Office to check my NI record and I am pleased to say I do qualify and can receive JSA(C). So this is for anyone in a similar position to me.
I left work and received Carers Allowance for a number of years without a gap. CA stopped and made a claim for JSA(C) because I wanted to actively look for work. Ni class 1 credits issued with CA in the two tax years before my claim have linked back to my employment and paid contributions. So I qualify for JSA(C).

Hope it helps.