Home Responsibilities Protection

If you have gaps in your National Insurance record resulting from time spent looking after young children or caring for sick people you may qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection. You will be entitled to claim Home Responsibilities Protection if you are claiming Child Benefit for your child, if you are acting as a foster parent or foster carer, or if you are caring for someone with a disability or disabling sickness but are not receiving Carer's Allowance. Home Responsibilities Protection is a scheme which enables you to protect your rights to the State Pension if you are unable to work and pay your National Insurance contributions. It reduces the total number of years that you are required to pay contributions in order to qualify for benefits including the State Pension.

For more information see Home Responsibilities Protection, or contact the Pension Service on 0845 606 0265 for advice on your individual situation. For general information on the state system see State Pensions.