Am I still considered a worker while on maternity leave?
Hello,
I am in the process of filling out my application for British citizenship/naturalization. I have two questions:
1st question: I plan to use my P60's to prove legal residency as I have been in my current job since January 2018. However, although I was employed, I was on maternity leave between June 2018 and June 2019. Please can you tell me if I would still be considered a 'worker' while on parental leave? I was in receipt of Maternity Allowance for 37 of the 52 weeks I was on maternity leave. I am trying to figure out if (as an EU citizen) I would have needed to have had CSI while on maternity leave? CSI is not a requirement if you are a worker, so really really hoping I was still a worker during my year with my baby. I got my pre-settled status on Feb 2019, so my parental leave was not covered by pres settled status.
2nd question: On page 26 of Guide AN (paragraph 3) it says they may confirm if my "National Insurance affairs are in order". This is such a vague statement! I have a one year gap in my NI record for the first year I was in the UK and before I got my first job here. For that year my NI contributions are listed as 'not full'. I have the option of making a voluntary contribution in order to have that year count towards my pension if I wish, so not mandatory to fill that gap, just an option according to HMRC. Do you think I should make this 'voluntary contribution' so that my NI affairs can be considered "in order"?
Thank you very much for anyone who can offer insight.
Julie