ESA without NI contributions
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Liz93
Community member Posts: 8 Listener
Hi! I recently applied for ESA, knowing I wouldn't get any money, but hoping I could get NI credits for my future pension. I thought if I got credits, I would eventually qualify to get monetary help as well. However, when I spoke to someone on the phone, he said that because I hadn't made any contribution through employment or self employment, I wouldn't be eligible for monetary help through ESA ever.
Is this right? It seems so 'mean', because I haven't been able to work BECAUSE of my health condition. I said I could use savings to make voluntary contributions for the past 2 years, but he told me that wouldn't count either.
Could someone tell me whether this is right or whether maybe he misunderstood what I was saying?
Thanks so much!
Is this right? It seems so 'mean', because I haven't been able to work BECAUSE of my health condition. I said I could use savings to make voluntary contributions for the past 2 years, but he told me that wouldn't count either.
Could someone tell me whether this is right or whether maybe he misunderstood what I was saying?
Thanks so much!
Comments
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You were advised correctly. If you haven't worked in the previous 2 tax years (April 2019 to March 2021) then you won't be able to receive any money. Even if you claim ESA and receive class 1 NI credits.If you were self employed in the previous 2 tax years then you can pay class 2 but if you weren't self employed then paying NI contributions won't help here. You can pay class 3 but these are towards your state pension only.You can see the criteria and what's needed here. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-basedHave you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? If you live with a partner you claim as a couple and your joint circumcumstances will be taken into consideration. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=65dbc38e-a03a-42c5-a27d-d2517e8a1c92
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
Thank you for commenting so quickly! I am registered self employed, and did some work, but not enough to have to pay NI contributions. But voluntary contributions won't count either? What if I start paying voluntarily from this tax year?
I'm not eligible for UC, because I'm not employed and not gainfully self employed... funnily enough! I need to meet those requirements to fulfil the Habitual Residency test as I'm an EU citizen with pre-settled status. It sure makes it more fun! -
How long have you been self employed for? You need to meet both of these conditions to qualify.
- First contribution condition - in one of the last two complete tax years, you must have paid Class 1 or 2 contributions on relevant earnings at the lower earnings limit for at least 26 weeks. This means you must have worked for at least 26 weeks of the last two complete tax years; and
- Second contribution condition - in both of the last two complete tax years, you must have paid or been credited with, Class 1 or 2 contributions to the value of 50 times the lower earnings limit.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
Liz93 said:Thank you for commenting so quickly! I am registered self employed, and did some work, but not enough to have to pay NI contributions. But voluntary contributions won't count either? What if I start paying voluntarily from this tax year?
I'm not eligible for UC, because I'm not employed and not gainfully self employed... funnily enough! I need to meet those requirements to fulfil the Habitual Residency test as I'm an EU citizen with pre-settled status. It sure makes it more fun!
Voluntary contributions for people who are not self employed are Class 3 and do not count for ESA (and also cost a lot more).
Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK. -
calcotti said:Liz93 said:Thank you for commenting so quickly! I am registered self employed, and did some work, but not enough to have to pay NI contributions. But voluntary contributions won't count either? What if I start paying voluntarily from this tax year?
I'm not eligible for UC, because I'm not employed and not gainfully self employed... funnily enough! I need to meet those requirements to fulfil the Habitual Residency test as I'm an EU citizen with pre-settled status. It sure makes it more fun!
Voluntary contributions for people who are not self employed are Class 3 and do not count for ESA (and also cost a lot more). -
I would suggest ringing HMRC is sensible. Make clear which years you wish to pay for 20i9-20 and 2020-21. The cost for each year is a bit over £150.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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So after taking a couple days to let things simmer (why are applications like this so tiresome?!), I realised that I didn't work the whole tax year 2019-2020. I registered as self employed on 18 June 2019. So if I were to pay Class 2 NI for that tax year, it wouldn't be the full year? And that would mean I still wouldn't qualify?
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Liz93 said:..I realised that I didn't work the whole tax year 2019-2020. I registered as self employed on 18 June 2019. So if I were to pay Class 2 NI for that tax year, it wouldn't be the full year? And that would mean I still wouldn't qualify?Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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