Anyone successfully claimed Class 1 NIC credits only, without JSA / UC

fiscoking

Hi,

As the title, has anyone successfully claimed Class 1 NIC credits only from the JobCentre  - without a JSA / UC claim - while unemployed?
It's possible I believe, although I've not done it myself.

If so what was the regime imposed by the JC? A once only 'interview', or weekly 'attendances' where they quiz you and demand all sorts of random 'evidence'.

Called my local JC and they wouldn't give me a straight answer.

Asking for an elderly family member that's just under the state pension age. They only have 2 years to go and it makes sense to keep up with their pension NICs. They could make voluntary contributions, but it comes to about 800 quid (from my own experience, having worked abroad). I've also found out you can register as self employed with HMRC and voluntarily pay Class 2 @ £163/yr. Just looking at (compassionate) options for them.

Thanks.

calcotti

Theory: in can apply for new style JSA which establishes you as a jobseeker even if JSA is not payable. You will be required to demonstrate that you are spending 35 hours/week looking for work and are available for work.
(EDIT - I’d forgotten that for NI credits only there is a JSANC1 form - see later part of thread.)

I can’t offer any actual experience of doing this.

Have they obtained a pension forecast that says they need for NI?

fiscoking

Their forecast shows they need more than 2 years, so they'll be retiring on less than the full amount, but they're OK with that as they have a private pension as well.
JSA is not an option as it's quite a cruel regime to impose on someone you love. I'd only really suggest JSA if I didn't like someone and wanted them to suffer. Thanks for the suggestion though. If that's what the govt. demand these days then it's a 'no' to that option.

calcotti

Any health issues that limit their ability to work?

fiscoking

No. They are searching for work. It just takes a little longer when you get older.

Spoonie_Turtle

fiscoking said:

Their forecast shows they need more than 2 years, so they'll be retiring on less than the full amount,

So chances are with a private pension topping up their income they will not qualify for Pension Credit.  Certainly in their interests to try to fill gaps in their NI record if feasible.

fiscoking

Yes. Just looking to claim what they're legally entitled to, until they find a job and up until retirement.
Found another thread on this matter with a DWP response letter: 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5955675/no-longer-able-to-claim-jsa-and-receive-ni-credits/p1
Looks like the JC pull you in every two weeks for a 'chat'. So, standard JSA treatment. Would be nice to hear from someone that's done this.

poppy12345

I don't think anyone is legally entitled to JSA. If you're claiming JSA for NI credits only then yes you have to be prepared to attend the appointments and look for work.

fiscoking

I think the issue is that if you have over 16K GBP in savings (and they do) then you can't claim UC or JSA, which is what the DWP letter above is about. You're supposed to use form JSANC1 and proceed with that instead. From the letter though, it looks like the JC just treat you as another JSA claimant, even though you're not claiming JSA. Hence my original question asking for actual experiences.
If that's true then you'd be better of registering as self employed and just paying the £163/yr to HMRC. You'd spend almost as much in bus tickets or vehicle fuel just visiting the JC over a year - unless you just happen to live within walking distance of a JC.

calcotti

To get the NI credits you have to demonstrate that you are a jobseeker and this means fulfilling the same work search requirements as someone on JSA or UC.

The capital limit has no relevance to JSA. The only JSA that can be applied for is new style JSA which is not means tested but to be paid it you need to have a full NI record for tax years 2020-21 and 2021-22.

I’d forgotten about the JSANC1 form.

NedS

poppy12345 said:

I don't think anyone is legally entitled to JSA. If you're claiming JSA for NI credits only then yes you have to be prepared to attend the appointments and look for work.

The question then becomes what happens if you fail to satisfy that requirement. I'm not aware of any sanctions being imposed on legacy benefits currently, and if they were to impose a sanction, there is no monetary element to stop - but would the sanction extend to also stopping NI credits? I cannot imagine so as for the year to qualify I believe the person must have a minimum 50 weeks of credit out of the 52 week year, so a 1 month sanction would effectively sanction the whole year from an NI credits standpoint (if there are no earnings) which would not appear to be fair to the claimant.