Potentials National Insurance credits from non-means-tested benefits?

Arc_2

After wading through Gov page, contacting moneyhelper, trying to contact CitizensAdvice, I hope some helpful soul here might just have the information I need, or a direction to it.

Basically, I looked into benefits while I was volunteering, but saw that having received an inheritance payment, that now put me above the means-tested threshold for savings.

While trying to decide if I should buy out any of the gaps in my National Insurance, it was suggested that even if I don't qualify for benefits payments, I might still be able, or have been able, to claim some non-means-tested NI credits.

I so far haven't been able to find out anything about this, or assuming such credits are available, if they can be claimed retrospectively.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can share some insight or advice on this.

singhini

I don't really understand your question (as i'm unclear what your current situation is i.e. are you unemployed currently? or are you just trying to understand the system??).

Here's a link that might help with when NI credits are eligible  https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

Hopefully someone else will be better able to help you.

Muttleythefrog

As above... it's a bit finger in the air... we need to understand why you might be entitled to a relevant benefit...such as are you a full time carer (which would entitle you to potentially Carer's Allowance or Carer's Credit which can pay NI credits.. although not backdating much)... however you may be able to get your answer here...
https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

I suspect you've struggled to get answers because normally people would apply for benefits they're entitled to and then consider issues like NI contribs (do I get them or not with the benefit)... not the other way around unless for say carer's credit where you would specifically claim for NI credits. It's easy to tell people what NI contribs if any they'll get from the benefits they'll claim or intend to claim. But our starting point with no other information is that you're not entitled to any benefits so there is no benefit to consider in relation to credits... what benefit do you think you're entitled to or could be? If you're not sure then try a benefit calculator for help... here is one https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

I assume the inheritance means you have over £16k in total capital... meaning yes income related/means tested benefits not an option. There are few alternatives to getting automatic NI contributions. Obviously if you do end up buying credits to fill gaps (and watch for deadlines!) make sure it is worth it.

Arc_2

Thank you for replying and sorry for the timewasting vagueness and reverse nature of my question.

I was prompted to look into this in the pensions forum, but thinking about it freshly, I am starting to suspect that I probably wouldn't qualify now for any of those entitlements and I was probably just jumping at a vaguely proffered possibility.

If I do qualify for any of the entitlements for seeking employment, then it probably wouldn't make a difference if it was for this/last year, or the this/next, so possibly not the priority now.