Home Responsibilities Protection
If you claimed Child Benefit (formerly Family Allowance) between 1978 and 2010, you should have automatically received Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). This was a scheme designed to help protect the State Pension entitlement of parents and carers.
Unfortunately, for some people, HRP was not correctly recorded – resulting in some customers receiving a reduced State Pension entitlement. Because HMRC no longer holds historic Child Benefit claims, we need customers who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 to check if they’re affected.
If you’re eligible, you could receive an HRP top-up which could increase your State Pension.
Example: Jane is 76 and had a phone call from Tom, who works for a claims management company. Tom was very helpful and explained that Jane was missing out on money she was owed. Jane didn’t realise but found herself in a verbal agreement with the company, who did manage her claim for her. But when she received a lump sum pension arrears payment, the company had taken a 40% cut.
Are you eligible for missing Home Responsibilities Protection?
HMRC are contacting potentially affected customers, inviting them to check their eligibility and complete a paper application form.
You can use the government’s online checker to confirm if you are eligible or contact HMRC on 0300 200 3500.
If you would like help, the following organisations offer free, trusted support:
- Citizens Advice – call 0800 144 8848 or visit Citizens Advice or Citizens Advice Scotland
- Carers UK – 020 7378 4999 or visit Carers UK
- Your GP or local community hub — ask your surgery or local council what support is available near you
The HMRC helpline can also help support you with your application.
Example: Sue is 72, a mother of two children and a grandmother now. She used to claim Child Benefit in the 1990s when her kids were younger. She didn’t realise her National Insurance record was incomplete due to Home Responsibilities Protection not having been recorded correctly, and this meant she was only getting some of the State Pension that she was eligible for. After speaking to HMRC, she applied for the missing Home Responsibilities Protection to be added back into their record by providing a few details, including her children’s date of birth. Dealing directly with HMRC was quick and easy not only was her pension topped up by £2,000 a year, but it was backdated too, which was a £10,000 lump sum.