Natalia
State pensioners in the UK are being urged to check whether they’re owed substantial back payments—sometimes tens of thousands of pounds—because of missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) National Insurance credits.
The scandal primarily affects those who took time out of paid work between 1978 and 2010 to care for children or disabled people, and may have gaps in their NI record that reduce their pension entitlement. Authorities say the onus is on individuals to apply, even if they haven’t yet been contacted.
What Is Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)?
- HRP was a scheme in place from 6 April 1978 to 5 April 2010 allowing people—mostly women—who took time off work due to caring responsibilities (for children or disabled persons) to reduce the number of full years of National Insurance contributions needed for a full State Pension.
- From 6 April 2010, HRP was replaced by National Insurance credits for parents and carers.
Who Might Be Affected?
| Characteristic | Reason They Might Be Affected |
|---|---|
| Women born between 1940s-1970s | Likely to have taken caring roles during the period HRP was in operation. |
| Those who claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 | If they didn’t provide their NI number, HRP may not have been recorded. |
| Carers (for disabled or ill person) or foster/kinship carers | May have been eligible for HRP but missing from NI record. |
| Those with gaps in NI years between 1978-2010 | Gaps caused by caring responsibilities may mean they haven’t had HRP applied. |
How Much Back Pay Is Possible?
- An illustrative case: “Cilla” reportedly received 15 years’ back pay of £31,674 after missing HRP years were restored.
- Many state pensioners are estimated to be underpaid by thousands of pounds, depending on how many tax years with missing HRP are involved.
What Needs to Be Done — The Claim Process
| Step | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| Check NI record & eligibility | Use the Government’s online tools or Helpline to see if there are gaps in your National Insurance record between 1978-2010. |
| Apply for HRP (or transfer it) | Via the CF411 form (postal) or online service to claim missing HRP years or transfer from partner. |
| Provide evidence | Examples: Child Benefit records, Income Support or carer benefit; proof of caring for disabled person; local authority confirmation for foster/kinship care. |
| Back pay / reassessment | Once HMRC confirms missing HRP, your NI record is updated, “qualifying years” are recalculated, and arrears (back payments) for underpaid state pension should be issued. |
Important Details & Deadlines
- There is no time limit to apply for HRP if it has not yet been awarded.
- HMRC has been sending letters to people thought to be affected between December 2023 and September 2024, part of a corrections exercise. But many have not acted
- If you’re already over State Pension age, the DWP will be notified once HRP is granted and then recalculate your pension entitlement, paying arrears if due.
Why Many Haven’t Claimed
- Uncertainty: Some people didn’t realize HRP was missing, or assumed the letter was a scam.
- Lack of awareness: Many didn’t understand that HRP applies to historical Child Benefit claims made decades ago.
- Difficulty with paperwork and evidence: Missing Child Benefit records, uncertainty about tax-years, challenges with proof needed.
If you are a state pensioner who took time off to care for children or someone disabled between 1978 and 2010, it’s possible that your pension is being underpaid due to missing Home Responsibilities Protection.
The authorities have identified many potential cases, but they aren’t going to apply HRP automatically for everyone.
FAQs
Yes. If your Child Benefit claim started before May 2000 and you did not provide your National Insurance number, you may be missing HRP years. Checking your NI record and applying is possible.