Carer's Credits: bringing up a child

 

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• Who does it help?
• How do I make a claim?

Who does it help?

Since 6 April 2010, certain carers can be ‘credited’ with national insurance contributions.

This can help them to qualify for:

• State Retirement Pension
• Widowed Parent's Allowance
• Bereavement Allowance

which they may not otherwise have been eligible for if their caring responsibilities prevented them from being able to work and pay national insurance contributions in the normal way.

This system of ‘credits’ replaces the former system of Home Responsibilities Protection, which was in force prior to 6 April 2010. However, some years of Home Responsibilities Protection accrued prior to 6 April 2010 can be converted into credits for those years.

You will be credited with a Class 3 national insurance (link opens in a new window) credit for any week in which:

• you get Child Benefit for a child under the age of 12
• you reside with someone (for example, your partner) who gets Child Benefit for a child under 12 and you share responsibility for the child. However, the person receiving Child Benefit must not need the national insurance credit themselves because they otherwise satisfy it (for example, they are working and earning enough to pay national insurance contributions)
• You are an approved foster carer

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How do I make a claim?

Normally you do not need to claim Carer's Credits – they will be awarded to you automatically by virtue of your other benefit claims, e.g. Child Benefit.

However, if you are claiming because the person you live with gets Child Benefit, or because you are a foster parent, you need to apply to HM Revenue and Customs (link opens in a new window)

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This information has been produced by Citizens Advice.

Last updated: 5 November 2011