Thousands of people in the United Kingdom may be entitled to backdated payments linked to a long-running issue with Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). The issue, highlighted by a BBC financial specialist, relates to missing National Insurance credits for individuals who took time out of work to care for children or dependents between 1978 and 2010.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have acknowledged the error and launched a correction programme. However, uptake has been significantly lower than expected, leaving a substantial amount of money unclaimed.
Home Responsibilities Protection was designed to ensure that people who left the workforce temporarily for caregiving responsibilities were not penalised when qualifying for the State Pension.
In simple terms, HRP reduced the number of qualifying years needed to receive a full pension. Without it, individuals may have gaps in their National Insurance record, leading to reduced payments in retirement.
The issue arises because, in many cases, these HRP credits were not properly recorded.
Issue
The error mainly affects individuals who claimed Child Benefit or provided care for someone who was ill or disabled between April 1978 and April 2010.
According to official estimates, around £1.2 billion in underpayments has been identified. Despite efforts to correct the issue, only a small portion has been claimed.
| Category | Estimated Figures |
|---|---|
| Total owed | £1.2 billion |
| Repaid by March 2025 | £104 million |
| Percentage claimed | 8% |
| Remaining unclaimed | Over £1.1 billion |
| Average payout | Around £5,000 |
This suggests that many eligible individuals may still be unaware of their entitlement.
Example
One widely reported case illustrates the potential scale of these corrections. A woman who spent 13 years caring for her child during the 1980s had missing HRP credits.
As a result, her State Pension had been underpaid for 16 years. After her record was corrected, she received a lump sum exceeding £35,500. Her weekly pension also increased from £120 to £180.
This example highlights how missing credits can significantly affect long-term income.
Eligibility
You may be eligible to claim HRP corrections if you were engaged in caregiving during the qualifying period.
You could qualify if, between 1978 and 2010, you:
- Claimed Child Benefit for a child under 16
- Cared for a sick or disabled individual
- Received Income Support for caregiving
Additional categories apply in later years:
- Foster carers between 2003 and 2010
- Kinship carers in Scotland during the same period
In some cases, individuals who shared childcare responsibilities may also be able to transfer HRP credits from a partner.
Process
Checking eligibility and applying for corrections involves a few steps. The process is managed by HMRC, with adjustments handled by the DWP.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Review your National Insurance record |
| 2 | Contact HMRC or use the online eligibility checker |
| 3 | Complete application (online or form CF411) |
| 4 | Submit supporting details if required |
| 5 | Await review and DWP adjustment |
Applicants can contact HMRC directly by phone or submit a claim online. Once processed, any corrections may result in both a backdated payment and an increase in future pension payments.
Response
In 2023, the government introduced a formal correction programme to address these missing credits. HMRC has also begun contacting individuals who may be affected, using National Insurance records to identify potential cases.
Despite these efforts, participation has remained limited. By early 2025, only a small fraction of those eligible had submitted claims.
This gap indicates that awareness remains a key issue.
Impact
The financial impact of HRP corrections can vary depending on individual circumstances. While some may receive modest adjustments, others could see significant lump sum payments and ongoing increases to their pension.
For many, even a small weekly increase can make a meaningful difference over time. When combined with backdated payments, the total benefit can be substantial.
Awareness
Given the scale of unclaimed funds, individuals who believe they may qualify are encouraged to review their eligibility.
Those who took time away from paid work to care for children or dependents during the qualifying years should consider checking their National Insurance record.
Even if you are already receiving a State Pension, corrections can still be applied retroactively.
The HRP issue reflects a broader challenge in administrative systems, where missing records can have long-term financial consequences. Addressing these gaps can help ensure that individuals receive the benefits they were originally entitled to.
In summary, a significant number of people may still be owed money due to missing HRP credits. With over £1.1 billion yet to be claimed, reviewing eligibility and submitting an application could result in both backdated payments and increased future income.
