NS ESA - possible to top up NI?

Hi LittleVoice

I would start by reading the following advice from the LITRG ( Low Income Tax Reform Group ).
www.tax.org.uk/hmrc-error-means-self-emp...nce-related-benefits

"Class 2 NICs are important for the self-employed, as they are the determining factor for having a ‘qualifying year’ for state pension entitlement and contributory state benefits.

The 2022 Spring Statement made the following changes for the self employed:-

"Situation A: Those with tax adjusted profits over the lower profits limit (£11,908 for the 2022/23 tax year and in line with the personal allowance in future years) will be required to pay Class 2 NICs as normal, at a rate of £3.15 per week.
Situation B: Those with tax adjusted profits below the lower profits limit, but more than the small profits threshold (£6,725 for the 2022/23 tax year), will not be required to pay Class 2 NICs, but will be treated as having paid Class 2 NICs for the year. (We discuss below exactly what is meant by this.)
Situation C: Those with tax adjusted profits below the small profits threshold will not be treated as having paid Class 2 NICs, so may need to pay voluntary Class 2 NICs (at the same rate of £3.15 per week) if they wish to maintain their entitlement to contributory state benefits.
Consequently, those with the very lowest profits (situation C above) will potentially need to pay voluntary Class 2 NICs if they are to secure a qualifying year for National Insurance purposes, whereas a person with slightly higher profits, up to £11,908 (situation , will not need to pay anything to have a qualifying year."

You should then check your NI contributions either online:-
www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

or by phone you can call the National Insurance Contributions Office on 0300 200 3500

Let me know how you get on
David