The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is contacting hundreds of thousands of people who could be affected by missing Home Responsibilities Protection credits on their National Insurance records. The issue could have left some parents and carers receiving less State Pension than they were entitled to.
370,000 People Are Being Contacted
The DWP has confirmed that letters are being sent to more than 370,000 potentially affected customers.
The department is also working with organisations including Age UK and Citizens Advice to reach people who may qualify for a higher State Pension.
HM Revenue and Customs is continuing to review records and contact people who could be affected.
What Was Home Responsibilities Protection?
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) operated between 1978 and 2010. The scheme was designed to help parents and carers build up their State Pension entitlement while they were looking after children or providing care.
Missing HRP credits on some National Insurance records have led to State Pension underpayments.
How The DWP Is Correcting The Records
The Government has revised its communications following feedback from an earlier campaign. It is also updating GOV.UK guidance and encouraging people to check their National Insurance records.
Information about HRP is being added to annual State Pension uprating letters, while the DWP and HMRC continue to identify people who could be entitled to an increase.
How To Check If You Could Be Affected
People who believe their record could be missing HRP credits can use the online eligibility checker on GOV.UK. Those who qualify can then make a claim through the government website.
Checking a National Insurance record can also help identify whether periods spent caring for children or relatives have been correctly recorded.
Around £1.2 Billion Was Estimated To Be Owed
When the DWP launched its correction scheme in 2023, it estimated that around £1.2 billion could be owed because of missing HRP payments. The Government expected around 90% of eligible people to come forward and claim the State Pension they were entitled to.
The latest letters are part of the ongoing effort to identify people whose pension records may need correcting.
Why The Letters Matter
For people affected by missing HRP credits, correcting the National Insurance record could lead to a higher State Pension. Anyone who receives a letter from the DWP or HMRC should check the information carefully and follow the instructions provided.
People who think they may have been affected but have not received a letter can also use the GOV.UK eligibility checker to see whether they may qualify.
