Having just been made redundant and with a fair payout, I intend to take time off work for the rest of my treatment, op on 21st Nov, rads to follow. I have worked since diagnosis all through chemo so feel like I deserve a little holiday!
What I wondered was does anyone know the implications of this with regards to taking a break from paying NI contributions? Sorry to ask such a daft and possibly complicated question on this board but I really am not good at trawling through websites on the subject, I tend to glaze over.
If anyone knows I would really appreciate your advice.
Hello Cecelial. I really don’t know. How many months do you think you’d be off? Personally, I don’t have to worry about it as I have children and receive child benefit. That counts towards NI.
As far as I know, if you’re off sick and sending in sick notes and qualify for SSP or Incapacity benefit your contrubutions will be paid.
If not go to job centre and sign on - explain about BC and give them sick notes and let them help sort it out. If they let you sign on contributions will still be paid.
That’s my understanding - perhaps someone else will know more.
If you have been working and paid enough contributions in the past couple of years you should be eligible for Incapacity benefit.Thisisi not means tested although some pensions income may be taken into consideration. Most people can now make a claim on the telephone-answer questions about previous work ,bank details etc and have the resulting statement sent to you for signing. Post it back along with a sick note and that’s it done. You can see if you may be eligible by checking below.
Wynn
You can phone free on 08000556688
Are You Eligible For Incapacity Benefit?
You may be able to get Incapacity Benefit if any of the following apply to you:
* your Statutory Sick Pay has ended, or you can’t get it
* you were under State Pension age when you became sick
or you must:
* be aged between 16 and 20 (or under 25 if you were in education or training at least three months immediately before turning 20)
* have been too ill to work because of sickness or disability for at least 28 weeks
* have been too ill to work before you turned 20 (or under 25 if you were in education or training at least three months immediately before turning 20)
If you’ve been living or working abroad
If you have been living or working abroad, this may affect your benefits claim. You may be able to claim benefits if you have either:
* Paid UK National Insurance Contributions in the past (or the equivalent in other certain countries).
* Worked abroad under an employer who is based in the UK and paid National Insurance Contributions for the first 53 weeks of your employment.
If you haven’t paid enough National Insurance contributions
If you have not paid enough National Insurance Contributions, you may be able to claim benefits if the following apply to you:
* Are under the age of 20
o Or 25 if you have been in education or training for at least three months before turning 20
* Have been ill for 28 weeks
* Are a present resident in Great Britain for 26 weeks in the year before making your claim