ESA And First Class Pension Contributions

B1AVENGER

Hello,

Through disabilities i have never worked, yet somehow from incapacity benefit to ESA (mix of income based and contribution based) I have had my National Insurance contributions paid.

How that is when i have never worked is a mystery, someone said its just one of those anomolies from incapacity to ESA with no breaks or something.

Anyway by the time i retire i will have about 50 years paid in and should recieve the FULL state pension.

However its almost like i dont want it?

I will have to pay full rent, dentist, glasses etc.

If i was short of the 35 years id get pension credit which would be a gateway to claim other things mentioned above.

Its not like i asked them to pay it!

If i was working then id most likely have a private pension too, so maybe be ok.

But as all im going to have is a state pension, thats barely even going to cover my rent!

Have i got this correct? Can i still get pension credit aswell?

Seems odd and confusing and a pretty niche situation?

Thanks

Kimi87

Pension credit calculator, if you receive PIP your income cut off point is higher and you may be eligible.

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

If not, you won't necessarily have to pay full rent, you would apply for Housing Benefit & Council Tax Reduction after you retire. On the basis of low income rather than being on a means tested benefit that passports you to help.

You can also apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme to get help with health costs.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

B1AVENGER

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1072368#Comment_1072368

Thank you! So very helpful and informative.

I won't go through all the calculations and info right now as its a few years off.

But just to know there are options and i won't be left to live on just pennies is a great worry lifted.

Yes, i do get PIP.