Re ni credits

lydia5683

Hi, I received a letter saying that i wasn't eligible for new style esa but my claim would remain open and I would receive ni credits.

I was wondering if I would have to apply for credits again if i start a job in the future and i get made redundant or would my credits continue to get paid automatically.

Im currently unemployed and dont receive uc due to too many savings

Also can my credits be backdated from july 23 as this was when i became redundant. I applied for ni credits on oct 23 as I was told in july 23 by an advisor that i wasnt eligible for ni credits when I was. When I complained they refused to backdate my credits.

Thanks 

woodbine

I suppose the $64,000 question is what age are you ? it might be that you don't have to worry about N.I yet as you only need in most cases 35 years for a full state pension and most people have at least 45 years or more  to make that many years.

lydia5683

Hi im 26, i was also told by dwp that i need to send a med certificate even though im not eligible for new style esa as im claiming ni credits instead of new style esa

Is this correct?

woodbine

If you want N.I credits then yes, do you have any full years cont. already ? at 26 you still have 41 years (you will retire at 67) to get the 35 years needed for a full SRP (pension)

poppy123456

Although it's just a NI credits only claim you will still need to go through the work capability assessment process. If found to have either LCW or LCWRA then your claim will be remain as a NI credits only.

If you start working and earn at least £123/week then you will not need to continue with the ESA credits only claim. If you stop working then you'll be able to reclaim the ESA as NI credits only, if you still don't have the correct NI contributions to be entitled to any payments.

I note from a previous thread that your savings are more than £16,000 so too much to claim Universal Credit. If your savings drop below £16,000 then you'll be able to claim UC but there will be a deduction of £4.35/week for every £250 or part thereof over £6,000.

66Mustang

Sorry if this is not helpful but it's all I know ... I have a neighbour who was in a similar position and apparently they voluntarily paid their National Insurance out of their savings when they were out of work (through choice in their case) ... might be an option.

lydia5683

Thanks, I was told by dwp that to make a new claim for esa my previous claim should have ended 12 weeks before starting my new claim.

You said in a previous post that i may be eligible for esa in jan 24 so should I close my current ni credits claim and re apply in jan or would i be able to keep my credits claim open and apply separetly in jan or feb

Would i also have to see a work coach even though im claiming credits only?

poppy123456

lydia5683 said:

Thanks, I was told by dwp that to make a new claim for esa my previous claim should have ended 12 weeks before starting my new claim.

You said in a previous post that i may be eligible for esa in jan 24 so should I close my current ni credits claim and re apply in jan or would i be able to keep my credits claim open and apply separetly in jan or feb

Would i also have to see a work coach even though im claiming credits only?

I didn't actually advise you to close your claim because i didn't know you were claiming at that time. I gave advice on what NI contributions you needed in order to be entitled to payments. I also advised that based on the information you gave then it would unlikely that you'll be entitled to payments this year. See the advice i gave here. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/111425/re-class-1-credits#latest

I then said that you can try claiming from the 1st Sunday in January as that's when the benefit year changes. From then the tax years will be 2021/22 2022/23, rather than 2020/21 and 2021/22 which is what they are now. I have no idea if you'll be entitled to payments then.

The 12 weeks applies to when your ESA payments stop because of the 1 year limit, i don't think it will apply in this case but happy to be corrected if anyone knows. More information here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/problems-with-esa/if-your-esa-is-ending-because-of-the-1-year-limit/

lydia5683

Thanks for clarifying, would I still need to see a work coach before my wca decision as im only claiming ni credits?

poppy123456

No it's unlikely.

lydia5683

Thanks if i get put in the wrag group will be ni credits stop after 1 year?

poppy123456

No problem. No, the 1 year applies to those that are entitled to ESA payments and placed into the WRAG. As you're not entitled to payments then there's nothing to stop.

lydia5683

If im found fit for work would i still get ni credits 

poppy123456

No