NI Contributions query

eskbanker

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You can get credits if you cannot pay National Insurance contributions, for example, if:

• you’re unable to work due to illness
• you’re caring for someone

So for "get credits" - it means "buy credits" ?

Surely - anyone is entitled to "buy" credits though ?

You're conflating two different things - there are indeed ways of being credited without making voluntary contributions, and these are explained in the link I included in my post.

The page you linked to and quoted was all about the separate issue of making voluntary contributions.

You mean "You’re not on Employment and Support Allowance but you satisfy the conditions for it" ?

I tried that one last year - I went to the Job Centre - but they wanted me to sign on to "be available for work" / attending any work coach meetings etc ?

But, at the time - I had a job that was perfect for me - working 10 hrs per week and the most that I could cope with - why should I be forced to do more hours and a different job - I am now medically retired and unable to work so how does this go ?

Contribution based ESA is out - no recent NI contributions

Income based ESA is out - too high savings

I'm not familiar enough with the exact conditions for claiming NI credits without actually claiming ESA but yes, there is mention of jobcentre attendance and so on at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75370456/#Comment_75370456

If this doesn't suit your circumstances, but you can't work or qualify for ESA either then I'm not sure there are any other avenues to pursue....

NedS

50Twuncle said:

Contribution based ESA is out - no recent NI contributions

Contributions based ESA is now called New Style ESA. You can claim it even though you have no recent NI contributions. That means that you will receive £0 ESA benefit payment per week, but you will still receive the NI credit towards your state pension as long as you satisfy the conditions of the claim - i.e, provide a medical certificate from your GP / pass (or rather fail) a DWP medical and are found unfit for work. This is termed as a credits only claim (i.e, no cash/benefit payment).

If you are only claiming credits (i.e, no purchased NI stamp or conts from employment), you will need 50 out of 52 weeks credits for the year to count towards your state pension, so it is probably too late for this tax year as you are already missing 9 weeks, but as long as you get your application in before April next year you should be good to go.

Hope that helps

50Twuncle

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

eskbanker said:

50Twuncle said:

So - what can I do to get my NI contributions paid ?

According to https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/who-can-pay-voluntary-contributions

Unemployed and not claiming benefits - entitles you to  credits

It doesn't say that it entitles you to credits, it says that if you're unemployed and not claiming benefits, then you can pay voluntary NI contributions, and that if you do so then they'd be class 3 ones.

Eligibility for credits is covered at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

You can get credits if you cannot pay National Insurance contributions, for example, if:

• you’re unable to work due to illness
• you’re caring for someone

So for "get credits" - it means "buy credits" ?

Surely - anyone is entitled to "buy" credits though ?

You're conflating two different things - there are indeed ways of being credited without making voluntary contributions, and these are explained in the link I included in my post.

The page you linked to and quoted was all about the separate issue of making voluntary contributions.

You mean "You’re not on Employment and Support Allowance but you satisfy the conditions for it" ?

I tried that one last year - I went to the Job Centre - but they wanted me to sign on to "be available for work" / attending any work coach meetings etc ?

But, at the time - I had a job that was perfect for me - working 10 hrs per week and the most that I could cope with - why should I be forced to do more hours and a different job - I am now medically retired and unable to work so how does this go ?

Contribution based ESA is out - no recent NI contributions

Income based ESA is out - too high savings

I'm not familiar enough with the exact conditions for claiming NI credits without actually claiming ESA but yes, there is mention of jobcentre attendance and so on at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75370456/#Comment_75370456

If this doesn't suit your circumstances, but you can't work or qualify for ESA either then I'm not sure there are any other avenues to pursue....

Thanks - that link says the same as I experienved last year
It seems that JCPs need training 
I will take it up again with them

poppy12345

There was a huge thread about 2 years ago started by the OP who was asking about exactly the same thing. Lots of forum members tried to help them but didn't get very far. This thread was 18 pages long and is here for anyone that's interested.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5813461/ni-credits-problem#latest 2 years down the link and the OP is no nearer to claiming their NI contributions.

50Twuncle

The problem is that last year - when I investigated a NI ONLY CLAIM based on ESA
The JCP wanted to see my and my wifes financial records and also informed me that I would have to attend a "job club" with an aim to find me alternative (more hours) employment !
This put me off claiming although I feel, now, looking back - the JCP was incorrect in requiring this.. ?

50Twuncle

OK Doing it online - this is new !

https://www.apply-new-style-employment-support-allowance.dwp.gov.uk/get-universal-credit

They are NOT interested in the amount that I receiive by way of my pension - is this correct ?

Also - no mention of my wife - this appears to be just myself who is assessed ?

p00hsticks

50Twuncle said:

Also - no mention of my wife - this appears to be just myself who is assessed ?

I beleive that eligibility for 'new style ESA', like 'new style JSA',  is based on an individuals recent NI record and is not means tested, so your wifes circumstances are not relevant. 

50Twuncle

p00hsticks said:

50Twuncle said:

Also - no mention of my wife - this appears to be just myself who is assessed ?

I beleive that eligibility for 'new style ESA', like 'new style JSA',  is based on an individuals recent NI record and is not means tested, so your wifes circumstances are not relevant. 

I went through the whole online form and found that despite saying 'contribution' based - I could still claim it!!
I have no recent contributions to use
Also it appeared to ignore my 'in payment'  Ill health pension and our savings
Does corona virus mean that payments are delayed?
What about assessments?
Or do they simply go by GP reports? 

mark55man

My advice - if you can get to a Citizen's advice they were so helpful and so knowledgeable

50Twuncle

mark88man said:

My advice - if you can get to a Citizen's advice they were so helpful and so knowledgeable

Thanks 
I will try by email