EIM76002 | Social security benefits: categories of social security benefits

National Insurance

Most people between 16 and the State Pension age pay contributions into the National Insurance scheme. These contributions enable individuals to claim National Insurance benefits, such as the State Pension.

There’s a brief summary of the classes of National Insurance contributions at NIM00002 in the National Insurance Manual.

Contributory benefits

These are the benefits in the social security system that depend on the payment of National Insurance contributions, for example, the State Pension.

Non-contributory benefits

These are social security benefits that do not depend on the payment of National Insurance contributions, for example, child benefit and invalid care allowance.

Means-tested benefits

These are benefits where the amount payable depends on the needs and other income of the claimant. Income support is a means-tested benefit.