New-Style ESA and Class 2 Voluntary contributions

Can anyone please advise on Voluntary Class 2 NI contributions? I have been self-employed for the last few years but did not make enough money to pay class 2 contribs so I was credited with class 1 credits because I got WTC with disability. I thought that meant I would qualify under regulation 9 but the application was denied anyway. I have paid voluntary contribs for the last tax year but didn't pay them for the two years before, and I understand that those are the ones used for qualification.

What I am trying to find out is whether I can go back and pay voluntary class 2 for a missed year (2017/18) and ask for a mandatory reconsideration, or whether I should withdraw for now and then make a new claim in January based on having made voluntary class 2 contribs before the deadline for 2018/19.

Any advice would be gratefully received, thank you.