CHECK IF YOU CAN CLAIM CARER'S CREDIT TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PENSION

Carer's Credit may be worth applying for if you're unable to claim Carer's Allowance. It means you can take on caring responsibilities without your State Pension being affected.

What is Carer's Credit?

Carer's Credit can help ensure that you do not lose out on how much State Pension you can receive if you are caring for someone but not paying National Insurance contributions through paid work or other means. Some carers opt to apply for this if they are unable to claim the paid benefit, Carer's Allowance. Rather than receiving a payment, with Carer's Credit you receive a National Insurance contribution credit to help protect your record.

I already receive Carer's Allowance – should I apply for this too?

If you are already receiving Carer's Allowance, Child Benefit (for a child under 12) or certain credits, your National Insurance record will already be protected with credits that are automatically added, so there is no need to also apply for Carer's Credit.

Am I eligible?

• If you look after someone for at least 20 hours per week, you may be entitled to claim Carer's Credit if the person you care for receives one of the following*:
• the middle or the higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (at either rate)
• Attendance Allowance (at either rate) or Constant Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). If the person you’re caring for doesn’t get one of these benefits, you may still be able to get Carer’s Credit. When you apply, fill in the Care Certificate part of the application form and ask a health or social care professional to sign it.

*There are some exceptions. For more details, see Carers UK online factsheet: Carer's Allowance 2023-24 (carersuk.org).

If the person you're caring for doesn't get one of these benefits, you may still be able to get Carer's Credit. When you apply, fill in the Care Certificate part of the application form and ask a health or social care professional to sign it.

Carer's Credit can also help with breaks in your caring role. You can claim Carer's Credit for any week within 12 weeks before the date you become entitled to Carer's Allowance or following the week you stop being entitled to Carer's Allowance. This is without meeting the 20 hour condition. This means you could have a break in caring for up to 12 weeks without losing your National Insurance contribution credit.

How do I apply? Download a claim form from GOV.UK:

bit.ly/3tZKvgA

or call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 (textphone: 0800 731 0317) to ask for a 'Carer's Credit' claim form to be posted to you.