Many carers miss out on Carer’s Allowance because they earn over the earnings limit — but that doesn’t mean they have to lose National Insurance credits. Carer’s Credit is specifically designed for working carers and carers who can’t claim Carer’s Allowance for any reason.
What Carer’s Credit Does
Carer’s Credit fills gaps in your National Insurance record when you’re providing unpaid care. Each year of Carer’s Credit counts as a qualifying year towards:
- The new State Pension (you need 35 qualifying years for the full amount)
- Contribution-based benefits such as New Style ESA
If you have gaps in your NI record, those gaps reduce your State Pension. Carer’s Credit prevents that.
Carer’s Credit vs Carer’s Allowance
| Carer’s Allowance | Carer’s Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly payment | £81.90 | None |
| Earnings limit | £196/week net | No limit |
| Hours of care required | 35+ hours/week | 20+ hours/week |
| Affects other benefits | Yes | No |
| Counts as income | Yes | No |
| NI credits included | Yes (automatic) | Yes (on application) |
| Age limit | 16 to State Pension age | 16 to State Pension age |
Who Qualifies for Carer’s Credit
You qualify if all of the following apply:
You:
- Are aged 16 or over and under State Pension age
- Provide care for at least 20 hours per week (this can be to more than one person)
- Are not already receiving NI credits from another source (e.g. Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay)
The person you care for:
- Receives one of these qualifying benefits:
- Attendance Allowance (either rate)
- PIP — daily living component (standard or enhanced)
- DLA — middle or highest care component
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
If the person you care for doesn’t receive any of the above, they may still qualify for Carer’s Credit in some circumstances — contact DWP for advice.
The Earnings Rule Explained
Carer’s Allowance has an earnings limit of £196/week net in 2026/27. If you earn more, you cannot claim Carer’s Allowance — even if you provide 35+ hours of care.
Carer’s Credit has no earnings limit. A full-time worker earning £40,000/year providing 20+ hours of care to a family member still qualifies.
This makes Carer’s Credit particularly valuable for:
- Working carers who earn over the Carer’s Allowance limit
- Carers with self-employment income that fluctuates
- Carers who are full-time students
- Couples where the carer’s partner receives Carer’s Allowance (and claiming CA yourself would overlap)
How NI Credits Work
Each year of Carer’s Credit adds one qualifying year to your NI record.
State Pension qualifying years required:
| Years | State Pension entitlement |
|---|---|
| 10 years | Minimum to receive any new State Pension |
| 35 years | Full new State Pension (£230.25/week in 2026/27) |
| Each missing year | Reduces pension by £230.25 ÷ 35 = £6.58/week |
Example: A carer who provides 20+ hours of care for 5 years while working, and uses Carer’s Credit, secures 5 extra qualifying years — worth approximately £32.90/week more in State Pension for the rest of their life.
Can You Claim Carer’s Credit Alongside Other NI Credits?
You cannot count the same week twice. If you’re already receiving NI credits from:
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit (for children under 12)
- New Style ESA or JSA
- Statutory Sick Pay
…then you may already have NI credits for those weeks. Carer’s Credit fills specific gaps when you’re providing care but not receiving any of the above.
Backdating Carer’s Credit
You can claim Carer’s Credit up to 3 months before the date you apply. This means:
- If you apply in April 2026, credits can start from January 2026
- You cannot backdate further, so apply promptly each year if you’re not automatically receiving credits
How to Apply
Form CF411 — available from GOV.UK or by calling HMRC National Insurance helpline: 0300 200 3500.
The form has two parts:
- Part A — completed by you (your details, caring role, hours of care)
- Part B — completed by the person you care for (confirming you provide 20+ hours of care per week)
Send the completed form to:
HM Revenue & Customs
NIC&EO
Benton Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ
Checking Your NI Record
After applying, you can check your NI record is updated:
- Sign in to your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk/personal-tax-account
- Go to “Check your National Insurance record”
- Verify the year shows as a qualifying year
Allow several months for records to be updated. If a year remains as a gap, contact HMRC.