I don't know of any commissioner's decisions - contribution matters traditionally were considered Sec of State questions and outside the jurisdiction of tribunals, to the best of my knowledge.
If your client's employer deducted contributions which are not showing up on NI records, this could be due to either an administrative error, or theft by the employer. Either way, the Inland Revenue have to investigate to track down the source of the problem.
If deductions have not been paid by the employer, the IR will make good client's NI account, and benefit will be payable. Luckily, your client has payslips as proof.
I don't think there is very much you can do to speed the process up, other than keep track of the progress of the investigation file, and make sure the IB section are aware of the dispute and the IR investigation. The IB section won't pay until they get the go ahead from the IR. The I R should treat as urgent, because benefit is involved. The other thing is to advise client to claim IS as soon as her capital falls below the limit.
You could try requesting interim payments under reg 2 (1) (c) of Payments on Account etc regs...and see what happens. : )
jj
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