You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.

This is a National Insurance credit that helps build your entitlement to the basic State Pension and additional State Pension. It makes sure there are no gaps in your National Insurance record.

Your income, savings or investments won't affect eligibility for Carer's Credit.

Carer’s Credit will help build up your National Insurance contributions. This means:

• there won’t be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities
• you’ll be able to build up your entitlement to the basic State Pension and additional State Pension

To get Carer’s Credit you must be:

• aged 16 or over
• under State Pension age
• looking after one or more people for at least 20 hours a week

The person you’re looking after must get one of the following:

• Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate
• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment - daily living component, at the standard or enhanced rate
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

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 get a health or social care professional to sign it.

Carers who don't qualify for Carer's Allowance may qualify for Carer's Credit.

Breaks in caring and eligibility

You can still get Carer's Credit even if you have breaks from caring (up to 12 weeks in a row).

For example, you’ll still get Carer's Credit for 12 weeks if:

• you take a short holiday
• someone you look after goes into hospital
• you go into hospital

Keep the Carer’s Allowance Unit updated if you have a break in caring of more than 12 weeks in a row.

Carer's Allowance Unit
cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0845 608 4321
Textphone: 0845 604 5312
Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm
Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges

Before you start

You don’t need to apply for Carer’s Credit if you:

• get Carer's Allowance - you’ll automatically get credits
• get Child Benefit for a child under the age of 12 - you’ll automatically get credits
• are a foster carer - you can apply for National Insurance credits instead

Carer’s Credit form

Download the Carer’s Credit claim form.

You can also get the form by contacting the Carer’s Allowance Unit (below).

The form includes a Care Certificate - ask a health or social care professional to sign it for you.

Where to send your form

Carer's Credit
Palatine House
Lancaster Road
Preston
PR1 1HB

Carer's Allowance Unit
cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0845 608 4321
Textphone: 0845 604 5312
Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm
Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges