Carer's Credit: protect your State Pension

What it is (and why it matters)

Your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record. Years where you don't work (or earn too little) leave gaps — and gaps mean a smaller pension. Carer's Credit fills those gaps for time you spend caring, so the years you give to looking after someone don't quietly shrink your retirement income.

Not means-testedYour income, savings and investments do not affect Carer's Credit. It's one of the few things where what you earn or have saved simply doesn't matter.

Who qualifies

You're 16 or over and under State Pension age.
You care for one or more people for a total of at least 20 hours a week (you can add together time for different people).
The person you care for usually gets a qualifying disability benefit — such as Attendance Allowance, the daily living component of PIP, or the middle/highest care rate of DLA.

No qualifying benefit? Use the Care Certificate

If the person you care for doesn't get one of those benefits, you may still qualify — ask a health or social care professional who knows your situation to sign the Care Certificate section of the claim form.

Carer's Credit vs Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance — a weekly cash benefit for caring 35+ hours a week (with an earnings limit). It includes NI credits automatically — if you get it, you don't need Carer's Credit.
Carer's Credit — for carers who can't get Carer's Allowance: you care 20–34 hours, or you earn too much for Carer's Allowance, or the cared-for person has no qualifying benefit but a professional can certify the care.

Working carers, take noteIf your job means you earn over the Carer's Allowance limit, you lose the cash benefit — but if you're still caring 20+ hours on top of work and your job has low-NI years (part-time, gaps), Carer's Credit can still quietly protect your pension. It costs nothing to have in place.

Breaks in caring

Short interruptions don't break the credit. Carer's Credit can continue for up to 12 consecutive weeks if, for example:

You or the person you care for goes into hospital.
You take a holiday or respite break.

Tell the DWP about longer breaks so your record stays accurate.

How to claim

Read this first if you live in Northern IrelandCarer’s Credit exists in Northern Ireland, but it is administered by the Department for Communities (Disability and Carers Service), not the DWP. Claim through nidirect — enquiries 0800 587 0912 (Mon–Fri 9am–4pm). The GOV.UK form and the DWP number below are for Great Britain.

Claim it now — free

📞 Call 0800 731 0297 Get the form on GOV.UK →

Have ready: details of your caring hours (20+ a week) — and, if needed, a professional to sign the Care Certificate section. Nothing to pay.

Get the claim form from GOV.UK ("Carer's Credit — how to claim") or call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297.
If needed, have a professional sign the Care Certificate section.
Send it off — there's nothing to pay and no effect on the benefits of the person you care for.
Check your State Pension forecast and NI record on GOV.UK to see your gaps — every missing year matters.

Don't assume you're coveredMany carers assume their pension "will be fine" and find out at 66 that years of caring left holes in their NI record. Check your State Pension forecast now — if there are gaps and you're caring 20+ hours a week, this form fixes it for free.

Free UK support

GOV.UK Carer's Credit — eligibility + the claim form.
Carer's Allowance Unit — 0800 731 0297.
Carers UK — 0808 808 7777. Specialist advice for carers.
Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help + a full benefits check.

Source verification Primary source: GOV.UK Carer's Credit — Overview + Eligibility + How to claim · gov.uk/carers-credit. Northern Ireland: Department for Communities — Disability and Carers Service · communities-ni.gov.uk (page updated 15 Jun 2026) and nidirect — Carer's Credit in NI is administered by DfC, not the DWP (enquiries 0800 587 0912). Last verified 13 July 2026. Confidence: High — 20-hour rule, NI-credit nature + not-means-tested read directly from GOV.UK; NI claim route verified against DfC. Key route: Care Certificate signed by a health/social care professional if no qualifying benefit. Scope: Great Britain (DWP); Northern Ireland claims go to DfC via nidirect. Those on Carer's Allowance get NI credits automatically instead.

Also see: NI gaps — fill missing years (free credits first)

Carer's Credit — common questions

What is Carer's Credit?

A free National Insurance credit for people caring 20+ hours a week. It fills gaps in your NI record — which your State Pension is built on — so caring doesn't shrink your pension. Not a cash payment; not means-tested.

Who qualifies?

Carers aged 16+ and under State Pension age, caring 20+ hours a week for someone who usually gets a qualifying disability benefit (Attendance Allowance, PIP daily living, middle/highest DLA care). No qualifying benefit? A health or social care professional can sign a Care Certificate instead.

Carer's Credit or Carer's Allowance?

Carer's Allowance is the cash benefit for 35+ hours of caring and includes NI credits automatically. Carer's Credit is for those who can't get it — caring 20–34 hours, earning too much for Carer's Allowance, or using the Care Certificate route.

Do breaks in caring matter?

Short ones don't — the credit continues for up to 12 consecutive weeks during hospital stays or holidays. Tell the DWP about longer breaks.

How do I claim?

Get the form from GOV.UK or call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297. Have the Care Certificate signed if needed. Then check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK to see your remaining gaps.

Sources: Carer's Credit · GOV.UK (Overview — 20 hours/week NI credit, income/savings don't affect eligibility; Eligibility — qualifying benefits + Care Certificate; How to claim). State Pension & NI record · GOV.UK Check your State Pension forecast. Free help: Carer's Allowance Unit 0800 731 0297 · Carers UK 0808 808 7777 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026. SortedUK is independent — not a government service.

Caring 20+ hours a week? Don't let it cost you your pension.