Pip, work and national insurance contributions

[Purple7265]

Hi all. Can anyone help me with this question. At the minute I'm off work sick. Have been since October. This is when I found out all the pains I was getting were fibro. My question is... If I am not able to work again, how are my national insurance contributions made up. I'm only 56 so still quite a few work years off retirement. Many thanks xx

[releasethemagic]

PIP is paid to disabled people both in work and out of work. It is not connected to National Insurance contributions in any way. National Insurance contribution credits are awarded by DWP if you are receiving Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carers Allowance or the Universal Credit equivalents. If you are not on one of these benefits and think you have a National Insurance shortfall for your State Pension, you should obtain a State Pension forecast. You can apply online. Just google it. You now need 35 years of contributions at the contracted-in rates to qualify for the full State Pension. If you have been in an occupational pension scheme, you will almost certainly have been contracted out (paying lower National Insurance) so are unlikely to get the Full State Pension as a deduction will be made to cover the years where you paid in at the lower level.

You can make voluntary contributions to cover any shortfall in years. The current cost is £15.30 a week. You'll find more information here gov.uk/voluntary-national-i.... If you are out of work or unable to work, it is well worth claiming the benefits, even if you only qualify for the National Insurance credits, due to the means testing of benefits against income/pensions and savings.

[Purple7265 in reply to releasethemagic]

Thanks for all that info. I'll look online now.

[Farmerboy]

Good morning, I would apply for ESA if your health conditions stop or prevent you from working and you are put into the support group your NI is paid and being in the support group opens the door to other benefits, rent and council tax paid.

[Purple7265 in reply to Farmerboy]

Thanks farmer boy. I'll have a look at that.

[E8L8dh]

If you lose your job due to your illness you then send your fitness certificates to DWP. While on benefits you will be given a stamp towards your state pension every week. The best advice anyone can give you is to speak to your local Cab or Money Advice Centre. That way you'll get professional advice.

[Purple7265 in reply to E8L8dh]

Thanks for your help E8L8dh

[Blue1927]

Hi, I had to finish work last March due to Fibro. I was advised to apply for PIP and nee style ESA. I was given 365 days of contributions ESA based on my last two years of working. I have a telephone assessment on Friday and I am hoping they will put me in the support group so my payments will continue, if not then my payments will stop.

I found the Benfits & work website extremely helpful for applying for both PIP and ESA, hope this helps xx

[Purple7265 in reply to Blue1927]

Thanks blue. I already get pip. I'm still getting SSPfrom my work. Just not sure when it will end and then what my next move would be once that happens. But I will read up on ESA. Thanks again.