NI Contributions whilst furloughed

kaMelo

ernie94 said:

kaMelo said:

As far as I remember no allowances or adjustments was made for anyone falling below the primary threshold due to furlough.

You also mention her not earning enough to qualify for sick pay yet this is based upon having earnings above the same primary threshold.

Are you sure it was only down to furlough and not because she simply wasn't earning enough anyway.

She doesn't earn enough now or last FY due to reduced hours from her diagnosis & various hospital stays. Tax year 2019-20 & 2021-22 she had full contributions.

Okay, I get what you mean now.
 Obviously there was a lot going in in 2020, with many temporary easements and relaxations of rules so it was difficult to keep up. I could quite easily have missed it but, as I said earlier, I don't remember any relaxations regarding the NI LEL amount due to furlough at the time and having searched I can't find any either.

It just seems unfortunate in your case that her furlough amount was less than.£120 per week.

Stanblakey

Hi ernie94,

I have the same problem as your wife, regarding furlough and NI in 2020. I too have worked over 30 years and never claimed benefits.

I am now off work ill and cannot get any ESA support group payments (even though I was awarded LWCRA after having my work capability assessment.)

It is very unfair that people have been assessed for ESA using the lockdown year, especially if you received 80% furlough which put you under the LEL level.

I can find no other information about this problem anywhere on the internet.

I wrote to HMRC asking for NI credits but they couldn't allocate any.

Btw, did your wife have the work capability assessment? If she hasn't, it would be worth her doing it, as she may get awarded LWCRA. I know this won't get her any money payments but it is still worth having the LWCRA status - although I don't know your wifes age.

Please let us know if you get anywhere with your MP and the secretary of state for work & pensions.