National Insurance and Disabled Students

kiwi_1706

I have two kids with EHCP's, which means that they could potentially stay in education and receive the additional support until they are 25.... they are both on DLA, and will possibly be spending at least some of that time studying more functional skills, rather than the higher education type courses....

What is not so clear is what happens about their national insurance contributions during that time. I know that I myself have gaps in my NI record from my student days, but then I was able to compensate for those gaps later on. My husband has not been so fortunate due to his disabilities, and we are now wondering what income he will get when he reaches retirement age... as far as I can see there is no provision for national insurance for young adults with additional needs, until they have left education and either started working, or claimed income related benefits.

Is that right?

woodbine

Dont forget that you only need 35 years of N.I cont for the new pension, and that retirement age is increasing, so in theory they might not need to worry about it until they are 31/32 

poppy123456

HI,

They won't be able to claim NI Contributions until they claim a benefit in their own right.  For your husbands NI Contributions those missed years may not affect any state pension he may receive when he does reach that age. You can check that here

https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record he will need to make an account to be able to check those details.