Not paid enough NI or had any credits - not entitled to basic state pension

OddbodSoz

Hello, I am a support worker and have a query for a client. They are married and partner is getting state pension and they have a joint UC claim, which is deducting amount of SP the wife is getting. Now the husband reaches state pension age next month and he has never claimed benefits or paid NI contributions. We tried to set up his SP claim and was told he wasn't entitled to the basic state pension. We were advised to claim pension credit which we couldn't do for the wife until husband also reached SP age. 

My question is will they get a 'top up' of pension credit or will he rely solely on his wife SP and PC claim? UC claim will auto end when he reaches SP age. I will be contacting pension credit just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about this before I got stuck on hold for hours :-) Thanks for any info. 

LHW99

Although this is a pensions board, you may get more / better help by posting in the tax credits forum board (or maybe a mod could move this thread)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

Brie

moved!!!!!!!!!

TheShape

OddbodSoz said:

......they have a joint UC claim, which is deducting amount of SP the wife is getting. Now the husband reaches state pension age next month and he has never claimed benefits or paid NI contributions. 

It may make no difference regarding the pension or claim to pension credit but the husband has claimed benefits if he is part of a joint claim for UC.

OddbodSoz

He was only added onto the UC claim recently and hence has not build up enough 'credits'. His letter from state pension says he is not entitled to it

TELLIT01

Has the husband not been in the UK long, or was he self-employed and didn't make NI contributions?  The answer to that may help people trying to answer accurately as to potential entitlement.

OddbodSoz

He was born in UK but didn't claim benefits, he was self-employed but didn't make enough to pay NI

poppy12345

OddbodSoz said:

He was only added onto the UC claim recently and hence has not build up enough 'credits'. His letter from state pension says he is not entitled to it

Was it a recent claim? I don't understand what you mean by "was only added on recently" when you live together you need to claim UC as a couple. Their partner would not have been able to claim UC as a single person when they live together. 

sheramber

pension Credit calcukator

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

8dayweek

UC will be paid up to the end of the Assessment Period in which the younger member reaches State Pension age. 

They should make an advance claim to Pension Credit which will kick in from the date the younger one reaches SPA. 

The PC will top them up to the min. couple rate (plus any relevant premiums) based on combination of both of their State Pensions (his being £0). 

They should also make an advance claim to HB with their local council too (if applicable). 

Presumably he’s got no private Pensions etc…?