Applications for Carer's Credit have risen by nearly 1,500% over the past 15 years, according to new figures from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Quilter, the financial adviser and wealth manager. Claims jumped from 420 in 2010/11 to 6,770 in 2024/25, with more than 35,000 carers securing the credit since 2010.
What is Carer's Credit?
Carer's Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps people providing unpaid care maintain their State Pension record while they are out of the workforce or working reduced hours. It is available to those who care for someone for at least 20 hours a week and who are not receiving Carer's Allowance.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show a sustained increase in applications over the past decade, with claims reaching a record high of 7,110 in 2023/24 before easing to 6,770 in 2024/25. Awards have also risen significantly, from 390 in 2010/11 to 5,780 in 2024/25.
Why the scheme matters
Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, said: "Providing care for a loved one often means putting parts of your own life on hold. While most carers accept those sacrifices without a second thought, the impact on their future finances can easily be overlooked."
"Time spent out of the workforce can create gaps in a person's National Insurance record and, if left unchecked, those gaps could ultimately reduce the amount of State Pension they receive in retirement. Carer's Credit exists to help ensure people are not financially disadvantaged simply because they have taken on caring responsibilities."
The importance of the scheme is likely to grow as caring responsibilities become more widespread. Research from Carers Trust projects the number of people in need of care will grow from 8.4 million in 2025 to 10.3 million by 2050, driving more people away from work and towards caring. The research also predicts 120,000 more carers will be out of work by 2035, and 1.6 million carers will be in poverty by 2035, rising to two million by 2050.
How much is Carer's Credit worth?
Each year of Carer's Credit claimed is worth 1/35th of the full new State Pension, Quilter says. Based on the current full new State Pension of £241.30 per week, a single qualifying year is worth around £359 a year in retirement income. Over a typical 20-year retirement, that could amount to more than £7,000 of additional State Pension payments.
Despite growing awareness, take-up appears low compared with the number of people potentially eligible. Census data has previously shown there are around five million unpaid carers across England and Wales, suggesting many people may still be missing out on valuable National Insurance credits.
The FOI data also highlights the importance of making a claim promptly. For unsuccessful mandatory reconsideration requests where the original decision was upheld between August 2024 and August 2026, the most common reason recorded by the DWP was that the claim had not been made within the required time limit. Around 170 unsuccessful reconsiderations were attributed to late claims.
Carer's Credit can generally be backdated to cover periods in the previous tax year, but carers who wait too long before checking their eligibility may miss the opportunity to secure National Insurance credits for earlier years.
Mr Greer added: "The steady rise in claims is encouraging and suggests awareness of the credit is growing. However, when compared with the millions of unpaid carers across the UK, the number of people applying remains relatively small. That indicates there are still many carers who may be missing out on support they are entitled to and potentially losing out on valuable State Pension entitlement as a result."
Ramzi Suleiman, policy manager at Carers Trust, said: "Many carers have to reduce their working hours or leave employment altogether because of their caring role, which has an immediate impact on their income, as well as potentially far-reaching consequences on their finances in later life."
How to claim Carer's Credit
To get Carer's Credit, 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. The person you're looking after must also get one of several benefits, including Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment daily living part, or Armed Forces Independence Payment, among others.
You may still be able to get Carer's Credit if the person you're caring for does not get one of these benefits. When applying, fill in the 'Care Certificate' part of the application form and get a health or social care professional to sign it.
You do not need to apply if you get Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment, or Child Benefit for a child under 12, as you'll automatically get credits. Foster carers can apply for National Insurance credits instead. People can claim Carer's Credit by downloading the form from the Government's website.
