Caring for someone

Important information

The Pensions Act 2007, which became law on 26 July 2007, makes changes to the UK State Pensions systems. In the main, these changes will only effect you if you reach State Pension age or after 06 April 2010. For the changes to caring for someone you are advised to see The Pensions Service website.

Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) is a special arrangement intended to cater for those people who are prevented from working, or who do not earn enough in a tax year to make that year count of benefit purposes, because they stay at home as they have a responsibility for caring for someone. It helps to protect your basic State Pension or your spouse's right to Bereavement Benefits. It is given for complete tax years provided the qualifying conditions are satisfied and works by reducing the number of qualifying years needed for a basic State Pension.

From 6 April 2002 Home Responsibilities Protection may qualify you for additional pension through the State Second Pension. For more information see leaflet NP46 A Guide to State Pensions available on the DWP Internet site.

For a full basic State Pension however, Home Responsibilities Protection cannot reduce the number of qualifying years below 20. From April 2020, when pensionable age for men and women is equalised at 65, Home Responsibilities Protection cannot reduce the number of qualifying years below 22. If you have less than 20 qualifying years (22 from April 2020), you may get a reduced pension.

You may be entitled to receive Home Responsibilities Protection if :

  • you have been awarded Child Benefit for a child under 16, or
  • you have been caring for someone who receives
    • Attendance Allowance,
    • Constant Attendance Allowance,
    • Disability Living Allowance with the highest or middle rate care component ,
  • you were receiving Income Support and not required to register for work because you look after a sick or disabled person, and
    • you do no paid work, or
    • you work but your earnings are not enough to make the tax year count for basic State Pension.
  • you were registered as a Foster Carer (after 6 April 2003) for the whole tax year.

For more information on this and the qualifying conditions for Home Responsibilities Protection see leaflet CF 411 How to protect your State Retirement Pension if you are looking after someone (PDF 57K).

If you are entitled to Carer's Allowance for looking after a sick or disabled person, you get a National Insurance credit for each week you receive it and may not need Home Responsibilities Protection. If you get Carer's Allowance for a full tax year, you will qualify for a years worth of additional State Pension which you will receive when you reach State Pension age. Payment of this will begin when you claim your State Pension.

Married women and widows who have reduced liability cannot get Home Responsibilities Protection or credits for Carer's Allowance. A qualifying year of contributions or credits may sometimes give a higher rate of basic State Pension or bereavement benefits than a year of Home Responsibilities Protection.

A new DWP leaflet M9 State Pension for Carers and Parents – Your guide is also now available can be accessed on the DWP Internet site. This leaflet explains how certain carers and parents can build up State Second Pension through Home Responsibilities Protection if they fulfil specified criteria for a complete tax year.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available should you require them.