Do Foster Parents and Kinship Carers Qualify for HRP?
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was introduced in 1978 to protect the State Pension rights of people who took time away from paid work to raise children or care for others. But what about foster parents and kinship carers? This blog explains how HRP applies to them, what the rules were, and what you can do if your record is missing credits.
A Quick Recap on HRP
HRP reduced the number of qualifying years of National Insurance (NI) contributions someone needed to qualify for a full State Pension. It applied between 1978 and 2010. From 2010 onwards, HRP was replaced by automatic NI credits.
Were Foster Parents Eligible?
Yes — foster parents were eligible for HRP, but only if their local authority reported their fostering activity to HMRC. Unfortunately, this often didn’t happen, meaning many foster carers are missing credits on their NI record.
What About Kinship Carers?
Kinship carers — relatives or family friends who step in to care for a child — were also potentially eligible. However, like foster parents, their eligibility depended on proper reporting, and many were overlooked.
Common Problems for Carers
Foster and kinship carers often face these issues:
- Local authority never passed records to HMRC.
- No NI number linked to Child Benefit before 2000.
- Lack of paperwork proving care was provided.
As a result, many carers’ pensions are lower than they should be.
How to Check If You’re Missing Credits
To find out if HRP is missing from your record:
1. Request a State Pension forecast.
2. Check for gaps in your NI contributions during years of caring.
3. If years are missing, apply using **form CF411** with supporting evidence.
You may need letters from your local authority or other documents proving your fostering or kinship care role.
How Evanshaw Helps Foster and Kinship Carers
At Evanshaw, we specialise in helping carers reclaim missing HRP credits:
- We identify gaps in your NI record.
- We gather the necessary documents.
- We liaise with HMRC on your behalf.
- We work on a No Win, No Fee basis.
This ensures you don’t miss out on the pension you deserve after years of care.
Final Thought
Foster parents and kinship carers played a vital role in society, and HRP was designed to ensure they weren’t left behind at retirement. If you think you may be missing credits, it’s not too late to act.
👉 [Check Your Eligibility Now](https://evanshaw.co.uk/carer/check-now/)