Carer's Credit: National Insurance credits if you care 20 hours a week
Short answer
Carer's Credit is a free National Insurance credit for people aged 16 to State Pension age who care for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week. The person cared for usually gets a disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance or the PIP daily living part. Income and savings do not matter. You claim on a form; it is not automatic.
Who can get Carer's Credit
GOV.UK lists three conditions. You must be aged 16 or over, under State Pension age, and looking after one or more people for at least 20 hours a week. Your income, savings or investments do not affect eligibility. The hours can be spread across more than one person.
The person you care for must usually get one of these benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate (or Scottish Adult DLA at those rates)
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment daily living part
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment care component at the middle or highest rate
- Adult Disability Payment daily living component (standard or enhanced)
- Pension Age Disability Payment
If they get none of these, you may still qualify: fill in the Care Certificate in the claim form and ask a health or social care professional to sign it (GOV.UK: Carer's Credit).
When you do not need to claim
Some carers already get credits automatically and do not need Carer's Credit:
| Your situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| You get Carer's Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland) | Class 1 credits automatically |
| You get Child Benefit for a child under 12 | Class 3 credits automatically |
| You are a foster carer | Apply for NI credits separately |
| You get Universal Credit | Class 3 credits automatically |
That is why the first step is to check your NI record. If a year already shows as full because of another credit, Carer's Credit adds nothing for that year.
Why it matters for your State Pension
Each qualifying year after 6 April 2016 adds to the new State Pension, up to the full rate of £241.30 a week in 2026/27 (GOV.UK: How to increase your retirement income). Under the simple post-2016 rule one year is worth about 1/35 of the full rate: £241.30 ÷ 35 = about £6.89 a week, or about £358.50 a year. A voluntary Class 3 year costs £18.40 × 52 = £956.80 in 2026/27. A credit you are entitled to costs nothing.
| Route to a qualifying year | Cost to you (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Carer's Credit (if eligible) | £0 |
| Voluntary Class 3, full year | £956.80 |
| Voluntary Class 2 (only some self-employed people) | £3.65 × 52 = £189.80 |
The 1/35 figure is a simplification. People with records before April 2016 and contracted-out years can see a different effect. Your forecast shows the real effect.
Breaks in caring
You keep Carer's Credit through breaks of up to 12 weeks in a row, for example a short holiday or a hospital stay by you or the person you look after. Tell the Carer's Allowance Unit (0800 731 0297) if a break lasts more than 12 weeks in a row.
How to claim
- Download the Carer's Credit claim form from GOV.UK (form CC1 on nidirect), or ask the Carer's Allowance Unit to post one.
- Complete the Care Certificate if the person you care for does not get a qualifying benefit, and have a health or social care professional sign it.
- Send the form to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. GOV.UK says to write nothing else on the envelope; no stamp or postcode is needed.
- Check your NI record later to see the credits appear.
Timing: nidirect states that carers can apply up to the end of the tax year after the tax year in which the caring took place (nidirect: Getting credits towards your State Pension). Do not leave it later than that. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.
Worked example
Asha, 52, cares for her father for about 25 hours a week. He gets Attendance Allowance. Asha works part time and earns less than £129 a week, the 2026/27 Lower Earnings Limit, so her job does not give her a qualifying year. She is not entitled to Carer's Allowance. She sends a Carer's Credit claim and gets Class 3 credits. Without the credit, filling that year with voluntary Class 3 would cost £956.80 at the 2026/27 rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Carer's Credit depend on my income?
No. GOV.UK says income, savings or investments do not affect eligibility.
Can I get Carer's Credit if I already get Carer's Allowance?
You do not need it. Carer's Allowance gives Class 1 credits automatically.
How many hours do I need to care?
At least 20 hours a week, for one or more people.
What if the person I care for does not get a disability benefit?
You may still qualify if a health or social care professional signs the Care Certificate in the claim form.
Is there a deadline?
nidirect says you can apply up to the end of the tax year following the tax year when the caring took place.
Sources
Official pages checked on 14 November 2026. Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027) unless stated.