Proof of NI contributions

Deanbark

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I am having great difficulty getting proof of my NI contributions. Born in the UK and after university, I started working in 1986 for a civil service type employer and paid tax, I was fortunate to never need to claim any sort of benefits. I was made redundant in 2010 and set up my own small business which struggled but still, I paid my tax claiming nothing. Now post Brexit I intend to work in Germany but to join the German health system I need to provide proof that I am a UK citizen and have contributed to the UK's system. It must be some 6 months now of constant phone calls, online applications and written letters. I have been assigned to a case officer in Newcastle Upon Tyne whom I cannot contact except by surface mail (pen and paper) and its all one way, no replies. Why does it take so long to issue me with a statement confirming I have paid my NI contributions. Every time I ring now weekly I am told they are processing it. Currently, I cannot access the German health system, they have refused my EHIC card. I have cost the UK nothing and paid tax so why does it take so long, am I being investigated?  

calcotti

If HMRC are taking a long time to send you information by post you could set up a government account and you should then be able to see your NI history online.
https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
However it will take a while to get the online account set up.

Deanbark

Thanks for your reply, I have checked my NI contributions online and I have a full state pension due, but the German authorities require some sort of certificate from HMRC rather than a printout. This is what I am chasing.

Galloglass

I've never come across this before, so I thought I'd give it a try by using the Gov Gateway. There is a page "Request a statement of National Insurance Contributions (NICs)". In filling it out, it asks all the standard questions. It tells me I can track my application after 24 hours and there is an indication (though not proof) I will get it in 2 weeks. You might want to get GovUK account and try an online application.

Deanbark

Yes, that is the online application I initially filled out some 5-6 months ago and still nothing. I work in the film and TV industry and move around quite a bit, it's very short term. I spend maybe 5 days onsite and 2-3 weeks working at home. They have requested dates which I provided. Its the lack of contact, when I call everyone is nice and I am told it is being processed but my case officer never writes or calls. I am told I cannot contact her directly, it has to be via written communication, its a bit weird.

Galloglass

Deanbark said:

Yes, that is the online application I initially filled out some 5-6 months ago and still nothing. I work in the film and TV industry and move around quite a bit, it's very short term. I spend maybe 5 days onsite and 2-3 weeks working at home. They have requested dates which I provided. Its the lack of contact, when I call everyone is nice and I am told it is being processed but my case officer never writes or calls. I am told I cannot contact her directly, it has to be via written communication, its a bit weird.

If I get a reply within 2 weeks, you may be right. I'll let you know. 

Deanbark

Thanks, please do.

calcotti

Deanbark said:

Thanks for your reply, I have checked my NI contributions online and I have a full state pension due, but the German authorities require some sort of certificate from HMRC rather than a printout. This is what I am chasing.

When I log in through Government Gateway in I can see my complete NI history since my teenage years - but obviously that still isn't a certificate.

Galloglass

That page/form that was used asks the specific question if you need evidence for a benefits claim abroad. So the presumption is (though it is not clear) that this will be a certificate that the country to which you move needs. You have to tell them which country.

Galloglass

"Statement" has arrived which gives a comprehensive list of NI contributions going back to when I started paying them. There is also a form to allow you to tell them of any errors so they can rectify.

The 3rd para is the interesting one for you. It says
"If you are applying for benefits in another EEA country and Switzerland the social security authority in that country may need a record of your UK NICs. To get this, they would contact us directly" 

Something lost in translation?

Deanbark

Lost in translation - It would appear so because when I approach the German authorities they seem to be unwilling or just do not know they have to do this, HMRC adivce is mixed, some advisors tell me this other tell me to apply myself directly which I did.