NI stamp while on benefits

jobe1972

Hi I wanted to check something recently I realized I have a big hole in my NI record 10 years worth of stamps were never paid back when I was much younger During this time I was on benefits But wasn't a claimant my ex partner was and at the time was advised to do it that way because as she had a illness It pushed the benefit entitlement up. So she claimed for both of us as back then as a couple you could not claim separately and live at the same address.. but seems because of this you dont get awarded your stamp didn't know this some 30 years ago ..so need to know if this is correct I checked and DWP say you dont get the stamp if that's the case will be millions over the years who had partners and got no stamp... but HRMC said I should of got a stamp and they will check if i can prove I received benefits problem is there is no record of me having a claim obviously as I was not the claimant but I would of had to of been listed on one 

Robbie64

How far back is the gap in your NI record? If it's more than 6 years ago there's nothing you can do about it. If its within the last 6 years you can try and get NI credits backdated but it's not easy. You also have to be awarded NI credits for a full tax year (unless you have paid NI contributions too in the tax year) to have that year count towards your pension.

poppy12345

jobe1972 said:

Hi I wanted to check something recently I realized I have a big hole in my NI record 10 years worth of stamps were never paid back when I was much younger During this time I was on benefits But wasn't a claimant my ex partner was and at the time was advised to do it that way because as she had a illness It pushed the benefit entitlement up. So she claimed for both of us as back then as a couple you could not claim separately and live at the same address.. but seems because of this you dont get awarded your stamp didn't know this some 30 years ago ..so need to know if this is correct I checked and DWP say you dont get the stamp if that's the case will be millions over the years who had partners and got no stamp... but HRMC said I should of got a stamp and they will check if i can prove I received benefits problem is there is no record of me having a claim obviously as I was not the claimant but I would of had to of been listed on one 

This will be correct. As your partner was the main claimant at the time then the NI credits would only be for them and not for yourself.

sammyjammy

You could have made a separate claim for NI credits only

calcotti

It's one of the good features of UC, both members of a couple get NI credits because both are treated as claimants.