HMRC Faces Long Delays in National Insurance Refunds Amid Increased Demand
A reader in Oxfordshire with two NHS roles was overpaid £2,200 in National Insurance contributions, but was told by HMRC that the refund could take up to 33 weeks to process.
This backlog on NI refunds has persisted since the Covid pandemic, with criticisms in May 2025 highlighting that refunds were taking more than four months to arrive. HMRC attributed the delays to increased demand on National Insurance services and has been recruiting hundreds of extra staff to address the issue.
Following an inquiry by Guardian Consumer Champions, the payment was received within seven days after contact was made, and HMRC reportedly apologised by phone.
The article, published on 9 December 2025, questions whether the 33-week wait could become the new normal for National Insurance refunds.
