Caring years, Child Benefit and HRP

Start with the years you were caring.

For many people, the most useful question is not “Do I understand HRP?” but “What was happening in my life during the years where my National Insurance record has gaps?”

Child Benefit and HRP

Between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2010, people awarded Child Benefit for a child under 16 could qualify for HRP for relevant full tax years, subject to the rules. A problem can arise where the Child Benefit claim was not correctly linked to the claimant’s National Insurance number.

What if Child Benefit was in my partner’s name?

There are circumstances in which HRP may be transferable between partners who lived together and cared for a child, subject to eligibility rules and dates. This is one reason the name on old Child Benefit records can matter.

What if I cared for a sick or disabled person?

Separate HRP rules existed for certain full-time carers. The detailed conditions include dates, hours of care and the benefits received by the person being cared for. Do not assume that every period of unpaid care qualifies.

A useful checklist

rough dates you received Child Benefit or Family Allowance;
which parent’s name the award was in;
children’s dates of birth;
addresses and names used at the time;
any letters, bank references or other evidence still available;
gaps on the National Insurance record during those years.