ESA/NI contributions query

crank_girl

Hello helpful forumites!

I've recently become disabled due to illness and am in receipt of DLA higher rate mobility and middle rate care. I am aware that I may also be entitled to ESA but may potentially have an issue with NI contributions. I was working self-employed and paying class 2 contributions from April 2011 to November 2011. I also began fulltime study as a nurse in September of that year.

So I guess my questions are (a) is it likely that I won't have sufficient contributions to claim ESA and (b) if that's the case can I pay the missing contributions?

Cheers!

Torry_Quine

crank_girl wrote: »

Hello helpful forumites!

I've recently become disabled due to illness and am in receipt of DLA higher rate mobility and middle rate care. I am aware that I may also be entitled to ESA but may potentially have an issue with NI contributions. I was working self-employed and paying class 2 contributions from April 2011 to November 2011. I also began fulltime study as a nurse in September of that year.

So I guess my questions are (a) is it likely that I won't have sufficient contributions to claim ESA and (b) if that's the case can I pay the missing contributions?

Cheers!

From what you say I suspect that you won't have enough NI contributions and sorry but you won't be able to pay for them. Do you have a partner and or savings as if not you could get income related.

crank_girl

Yes, have a partner and modest savings.

Damn! That's a bit of a blow. I'm not sure I'll ever work again. Doubly annoying that at 37 I've paid a fair bit into the system, just not last year.

Torry_Quine

crank_girl wrote: »

Yes, have a partner and modest savings.

Damn! That's a bit of a blow. I'm not sure I'll ever work again. Doubly annoying that at 37 I've paid a fair bit into the system, just not last year.

It's hard isn't it. You have my sympathy.

Horseunderwater

crank_girl wrote: »

Hello helpful forumites!

I've recently become disabled due to illness and am in receipt of DLA higher rate mobility and middle rate care. I am aware that I may also be entitled to ESA but may potentially have an issue with NI contributions. I was working self-employed and paying class 2 contributions from April 2011 to November 2011. I also began fulltime study as a nurse in September of that year.

So I guess my questions are (a) is it likely that I won't have sufficient contributions to claim ESA and (b) if that's the case can I pay the missing contributions?

Cheers!

It is still worth applying for that benefit though. NI based is done by the previous 2 tax years - so there may be enough from year before last - ie 2010/11 if not from 2011/12.

satarical

crank_girl wrote: »

Yes, have a partner and modest savings.

Damn! That's a bit of a blow. I'm not sure I'll ever work again. Doubly annoying that at 37 I've paid a fair bit into the system, just not last year.

That won't get you very far! There are many on this site that have put in over 40 years of continual work, tax/NIC contributions etc, that ask for help with what they can claim for in their 60's are lambasted as benefit scroungers and parasites!

I would put your tin hat on if you actually believe that paying in gives you any better chance of drawing something out.

mazza111

It's still worth while claiming though, as I believe they will still help with your NIC. And as a previous poster said, there may be enough NI paid from the years before.

crank_girl

satarical wrote: »

That won't get you very far! There are many on this site that have put in over 40 years of continual work, tax/NIC contributions etc, that ask for help with what they can claim for in their 60's are lambasted as benefit scroungers and parasites!

I would put your tin hat on if you actually believe that paying in gives you any better chance of drawing something out.

Well, I would be disappointed if anyone did make that kind of accusation. I've suddenly find myself severely disabled at the age of 37 having never claimed any benefits so don't really need anyone to make me feel worse than I do.

Thanks to others for their contributions. Spoke to NI helpline today and agent confirmed that I should apply just to get my state pension contributions paid.