What type of benefits requires prior National Insurance contributions?

Contributory benefits are designed to provide financial support to individuals based on their National Insurance contributions. This means that eligibility for these benefits is directly linked to the individual's record of paying National Insurance, which is a system intended to fund various state benefits.

For example, benefits such as the state pension, jobseeker's allowance, and certain aspects of sickness and disability benefits fall under this category. This system rewards those who have contributed to the National Insurance scheme, ensuring that those who have been part of the workforce and have made contributions are able to access these financial supports when needed.

In contrast, non-contributory benefits do not require prior contributions and are typically based on other factors, such as financial need. Income Support is another example that focuses on household income rather than past contributions. Sickness-related benefits may sometimes be contributory or non-contributory, depending on the specific type of benefit in question. Thus, contributory benefits stand out due to their foundation on an individual's National Insurance contribution record.