Disability and Credits for a State Pension

CatieE

Hello, I am looking for some advice for my husband please.

Last year my husband was made redundant and received a payment from his employer. He was also seriously ill with covid and suffered a stroke as a consequence. He is now disabled and has recently been awarded PIP at the highest rates. I've been advised to apply for carer's allowance. My question is how will he receive credits for a state pension please? Does he need to buy them? Thank you.

NedS

He will probably wish to apply for ESA to be awarded NI credits:

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

CatieE

Thank you NedS.

poppy12345

To receive payment from New style ESA he will have needed to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020. He will need fit notes from his GP to be able to claim this. If he hasn't paid the correct NI then a credits only claim can be made but fit notes will still be needed.

Also look at claiming Universal Credit and use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. If both UC and NsESA are claimed together the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement. Also Carers allowance is deducted in full from any UC entitlement.  You will need to claim UC as a couple. If you claim you should report that you care for him and then the carers element will be added to your maximum UC entitlement.

The NSESA pays class 1 credits and UC pays class 3.

CatieE

Poppy, thank you for your very detailed reply.

poppy12345

Also forgot to add, if a claim for UC is also made then fit notes will be needed for this and he should report a health condition when he claims. A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming. You'll also be excluded if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000.