I've just picked up a case that, on the face of it is an IB in youth appeal, i.e. whether client worked during the 28week q/p, however when I asked whether a contribution based decision the adviser told me they couldn't find the contribution record therefore no decision.

I need to check client's contribution record but can't see any advice in CPAG as to how to do it. Granted I've not looked too hard yet, but I have looked.

Any ideas?

Haven't had to do this for years but when I did I just wrote to Newcastle asking for a written breakdown for the relevant years. The problem was that it could often take up to 6 months to get the print outs.

Dan,
I'm not sure why your'e after this, as IBY is not based on contributions. Is someone claiming client has worked and that this then affects 196QP? Or are you arguing that they should qualify on NIC grounds, ie for IB, not IBY? Maybe, if they did work, they didn't breach the LEL- an 18 yo on minimum wage would have to work 23 hours/week to end up hitting LEL.
To get what is held by NIRS you could contact NICO: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/contributor_group/about_contributor.htm
and use a data subject enquiry under DPA.
...but also, as companies can take some time to notify NICO of contributions: any contributions in the current year wont be 'posted' until after end of TY.

This thread may help:
http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=111&topic_id=2111&mesg_id=2149&page=