National Insurance contributions

Your record in paying National Insurance (NI) contributions is key to qualifying for some benefits. NI contributions are paid on earnings above the lower earnings limit (LEL), which from 6 April 2020 is £120 a week. In fact, you only start paying NI contributions if you earn over £183 a week, because for earnings between £120 and £183 you are credited with contributions. For most benefits, the relevant NI contributions are Class 1 contributions — those paid by employees. Class 2
NI contributions are those paid by self-employed people. The tax year starts on 6 April and finishes on 5 April (12 months).

You may be able to get full National Insurance credits if you are not paying sufficient NI contributions, for example if you are receiving Statutory Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Pay, or Additional Statutory Paternity Pay. However, if you are on Universal Credit, the NI credits you receive will count towards your state pension, but not towards contribution-based benefits like New Style Employment and Support Allowance and New Style Jobseeker's Allowance

You can check your NI contributions record at https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record