NI Credits - OH only has 10yrs worth at 44yrs old being on DLA/PIP did not qualify him

[GamerNic]

I was looking at our National Insurance records and realised that being on DLA then PIP did not qualify my partner for NI Credits to be paid so he only has 10 years of contributions at age 44. He has only worked about 3 months in the last 15 years and it is highly unlikely he will get a job anytime soon (though he would be classed as able to work).

He was on ESA years ago, but due to my income / capital he was not being paid. They randomly ended our claim but didn't send a letter so we had no idea. I can't remember how we realised but when we went to the jobcentre, the adviser was really snarky and unhelpful with what we should do so we decided to leave it. (They were useless and kept making him go places without reimbursement, so he was losing money by being on it).

UC is coming up as £0 due to my capital and it suggests a claim would just stop. It doesn't look like he is eligible for ESA, having not worked for years or been on a qualifying benefit but I saw something that said you might still get NI credits and still to apply, is that the best course of action?

We are due to get a Civil Partnership later in the year, have lived together for 14.5 years. I have 24 years of contributions and I'm working.

Thanks in advance.