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Everything you need to know about
Carer's Credit

What is Carer's Credit?

Carer's Credit is a class three National Insurance credit - not a payment. As unpaid carers we may find ourselves unable to work as much. And be unable to contribute to National Insurance payments, which count towards things like our state pension. 

 

Carer’s Credit helps us protect these benefits by ensuring there are no gaps in our National Insurance record.

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Carer’s Credits (introduced in 2010), were initially intended to address women’s poor State Pension outcomes. As (along with other reasons) many women were missing out on making National Insurance contributions.

 

It “fills the gap” between working and caring, and those of us who provide care for less than 35 hours per week (at which point Carer’s Allowance could be claimed), but more than 20 hours per week can claim Carer's Credit. 


If we’re eligible for Carer’s Credit, we’ll be credited with a Class 3 National Insurance credit for every qualifying week. If we are not, it's worth checking what other help is available with the cost of caring

Am I eligible for Carer's Credit?

Carer’s Credit is for those of us caring for someone else, for a minimum of 20 hours per week. The caring hours may be made up of caring for multiple people.

 

We may be eligible for Carer’s Credit if we are:

  • Caring for someone (or several people) for at least 20 hours a week

  • Over 16, but not receiving a state pension

  • The person we care for is in receipt of an eligible benefit:

    • The Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate

    • Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance

    • Personal Independence Payment - the daily living component, at the standard or enhanced rate

    • Armed Forces Independence Payment

    • Child Disability Payment (CDP) care component at the middle or highest rate

    • Adult Disability Payment daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate

If the person we are caring for is not receiving an eligible benefit, then we can apply by completing a Care Certificate.


We know some carers struggle to convince the person they care for to apply for one of the qualifying benefits. This can be the case, when caring for someone with a mental health condition, for example. In these situations, the Care Certificate may still allow us to receive contributions to our National Insurance record.

If we receive Carer's Allowance, are a foster carer or we receive Child Benefit for a child under 12 years of age, then we’ll already be receiving National Insurance Credits. Meaning we don’t have to apply for Carer's Credit. 

 

That said, it may still be worth applying in certain situations.

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For example, if we’re caring for a disabled child under 12 and receiving Child Benefit, then the National Insurance Credit would cease when the child turns 12 years of age

 

If we are caring for 35 hours or more per week, we may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. OR, if we're uncertain that we're eligible for any of these, check out our discounts for carers guide to see where we can get money off. 

Don't miss out on other financial help

Use our quick and simple benefits and savings toolkit to get the financial support tailoring to your caring situation. From benefits to grants, from money off utility bills to help from the local council and much more. 

Should I claim Carer’s Credit?

If we meet the eligibility criteria for Carer’s Credit, then we can make a claim. However, in some situations we may not need to make the claim, as our National Insurance contribution (for State Pension) may already be covered. 

 

We don’t need to apply for Carer’s Credit if the following is in play:

  • We’re a foster parent

  • We’re receiving child benefit for a child under 12 (but note that the National Insurance credits stop when they reach 12 years old)

  • We receive Carers’ Allowance

 

In the above examples, we’re already receiving National insurance contributions to our State Pension, so there is no need to apply for Carer’s Credit.

 

That said, there may be exceptions, such as the below example:

 

For example, a mother is caring for her 8-year-old disabled child 24 hours per week. Working for £150 per week and claiming child benefit for the child. She would have:

 

  • Class 1 coverage through employed earnings above the Lower Earnings’ Limit (Class 1 helps towards the entitlement criteria for certain Working Age Benefits)

  • Class 3 coverage from the claim to Child Benefit for a child aged under 12 (Class 3 protects the claimant’s National Insurance record in respect of their State Pension only)

 

In theory, they could claim Carer’s Credit, but wouldn’t need to, as their National Insurance credits are already covered by the Child Benefit.

 

But;

 

It may still be worth claiming in the example above. For example, if their level of work fluctuates (above / below the Lower Earnings Limit) they may lose weeks of Class 1 coverage and, when their child turns 12, the credit associated with the claim to Child Benefit would cease.

 

Let’s make sure we’re plugging any gaps!

What is a Care Certificate for Carer’s Credit?

If the person we care for does not receive an eligible benefit, then we can use a Care Certificate to apply for Carers’ Credit.

 

It is so that a health or social care professional can use the form to confirm that the care you provide is needed.

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How much is Carer’s Credit?

As Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit, there is no money changing hands. The credit is recorded on our National Insurance record. And can count towards our State Pension when we reach State Pension age.

How do I apply for Carer’s Credit?

In terms of timescales, it’s recommended that we apply before the end of the tax year, following the tax year we cared for someone. However, there is flexibility in the legislation. If a reasonable explanation of a late application is provided, crediting can go back further. 

 

Breaks in caring of up to 12 weeks can also be accommodated without needing to end the claim. And as it’s claimed “in arrears”, changes in ongoing circumstances do not need to be reported (they form part of the next application).

If eligible, we can use the Carer’s Credit application form available online. We then send the completed form to:

 

Carers Allowance Unit 

Mail Handling Site A 

Wolverhampton 

WV98 2AB.

 

If we need an accessible version of the form (including Braille, large print, British sign language, audio or something else), we can call the freephone number: 

 

0800 731 0297

Is Carer’s Credit means tested?

No, Carer’s Credit is not means tested.

Can Carer’s Credit be backdated?

Yes, Carer’s Credit can be backdated to the start of the previous tax year. We can claim it retrospectively, even if the person we were caring for no longer has care needs or has passed away.

 

For advice on this, it is best to give the Carer’s Allowance team a call on 0800 731 0297. 

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Carer’s Credit and working

 

If our caring role has led to us working less, then we may not be able to meet the income threshold to contribute to National Insurance. This may mean that we’re eligible for Carer’s Credits


Carer’s Credits are class three National Insurance credits towards benefits such as our state pension.

If we may think that we're not eligible, take a look at our 'Help for carers' guide which details other financial support that may help support us in our caring role.

What is the difference between Carer’s Credit and Carer’s Allowance?

 

Carer’s Allowance is a payment we can apply for, if we provide care for someone for more than 35 hours per week (subject to eligibility). Check out your eligibility today, with our quick tool.

 

Carer's Credit is a class three National Insurance credit (not a payment), which we can apply for if we’re caring for more than 20 hours per week (but less than 35 hours a week, where we may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance).

 

Carer's Credit, made simple

Have you had to give up work or reduce your working hours to care for someone?

 

If you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week, and under the State Pension age, check out our Carer’s Credit tool to see if you’re eligible.

Carer’s Credit is a class three National Insurance credit that counts towards your state pension.

What is Carer's Credit?
Am I eligible?
Should I claim Carer's Credit?
What is a Care Certificate for Carer’s Credit?
How much is Carer’s Credit?
How do I apply for Carer's Credit?
Is Carer's Credit means tested?
Can Carer's Credit be backdated?
Carer’s Credit and working
What is the difference between Carer's Credit and Carer's Allowance?

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