How to Apply for Carer's Credit to Protect Your State Pension Record
Apply for Carer's Credit if you care for someone at least 20 hours a week and need National Insurance credits to protect your State Pension record.
GB United Kingdom
Benefits & Support ~ 9 min read
15 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-10
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You may be able to get Carer's Credit if you are aged 16 or over, under State Pension age and care for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week. It gives Class 3 National Insurance credits that can help protect your State Pension record; it is not a cash payment, and your income, savings and investments do not affect eligibility. You usually do not need to apply if you already get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, because credits are automatic, or if you get Child Benefit for a child under 12. To claim, print and complete form CC1 and send it freepost to DWP. If the person you care for does not receive a listed qualifying disability benefit, a health or social care professional can complete the Care Certificate. Claims should normally reach DWP before the end of the tax year following the tax year in which the caring took place.
What you need
- Be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age.
- Care for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week.
- The person you care for should normally receive a qualifying disability benefit, or you must provide a signed Care Certificate from an appropriate health or social care professional.
- Use the current CC1 Carer's Credit application form; the carer or their representative completes the form, not the person being cared for.
- Send the completed form to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. No postcode or stamp is needed.
- Apply promptly. Under the National Insurance credit rules, an application should normally be received before the end of the tax year following the tax year for which the credit is claimed.
Eligibility
You can qualify for Carer's Credit if you are aged 16 or over, under State Pension age and provide at least 20 hours of care a week to one or more people. The person cared for normally needs to receive a qualifying disability benefit such as the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or another benefit listed by DWP. If they do not receive one of the listed benefits, you may still qualify if an appropriate health or social care professional confirms the required level of care on the Care Certificate. Your income, savings and investments do not affect eligibility. You normally do not need to apply if you already receive automatic National Insurance credits through Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment or Child Benefit for a child under 12.
How to do it
- Check whether you already receive National Insurance credits automatically. If you get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, credits are automatic. Child Benefit for a child under 12 also normally gives automatic Class 3 credits.
- Check your age and caring hours. You must be at least 16, below State Pension age and provide at least 20 hours of care a week.
- Check the cared-for person's benefit. Confirm whether they receive one of DWP's listed qualifying disability benefits.
- Arrange a Care Certificate if necessary. If the person does not receive a listed qualifying benefit, ask an appropriate health or social care professional to complete the Care Certificate.
- Download and print form CC1. The current form must be printed and completed with a pen.
- Complete the application accurately. The carer or their representative must complete it, not the person receiving care.
- Post the form free of charge. Send it to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit and write nothing else on the envelope; no postcode or stamp is needed.
- Keep DWP informed about long breaks in caring. A break of up to 12 consecutive weeks can be allowed, but tell the Carer's Allowance Unit if the break lasts longer.
- Check your National Insurance record after the claim is dealt with. Carer's Credit is intended to fill relevant gaps and protect State Pension entitlement.
- Challenge the decision if necessary. If you disagree with DWP's decision, you can ask for mandatory reconsideration.
What is Carer's Credit?
Carer's Credit is a National Insurance credit for people who spend significant time caring for someone. It helps fill gaps in your National Insurance record so caring responsibilities do not unnecessarily reduce your future State Pension entitlement.
It is not a cash benefit. Eligible carers receive Class 3 National Insurance credits, which count towards the State Pension.
Who can get Carer's Credit?
You must meet all 3 basic conditions:
- be aged 16 or over;
- be under State Pension age; and
- look after one or more people for at least 20 hours a week.
Your income, savings and investments do not affect whether you qualify.
Which benefits can the person you care for receive?
The person you care for normally needs to receive one of the qualifying benefits listed by DWP:
- Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest care rate;
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest care rate;
- Attendance Allowance;
- Constant Attendance Allowance;
- Personal Independence Payment daily living part;
- Armed Forces Independence Payment;
- Child Disability Payment care component at the middle or highest rate;
- Adult Disability Payment daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate; or
- Pension Age Disability Payment.
If the person you care for receives Personal Independence Payment, Helpydo has a separate guide to claiming Personal Independence Payment.
What if the person you care for does not get a listed benefit?
You may still be able to qualify. Complete the Care Certificate section of the application and ask an appropriate health or social care professional to sign it.
The National Insurance rules allow DWP to consider whether the level of care is appropriate even when the cared-for person does not receive one of the specified disability benefits.
Who gets National Insurance credits automatically instead?
You do not need to use the Carer's Credit application if you already get:
- Carer's Allowance or, in Scotland, Carer Support Payment, because National Insurance credits are awarded automatically; or
- Child Benefit for a child under 12, because Class 3 credits are normally awarded automatically.
Foster carers use a separate National Insurance credits application rather than the standard Carer's Credit claim form.
If you receive Universal Credit, you also get Class 3 National Insurance credits automatically. Helpydo explains the separate benefit process in its guide to claiming Universal Credit.
Is Carer's Credit the same as Carer's Allowance?
No. Carer's Credit is a National Insurance credit, not a weekly payment. Carer's Allowance is a separate benefit with different rules, including a higher minimum caring-hours requirement.
If you receive Carer's Allowance payments, you automatically get Class 1 National Insurance credits and do not need to make a separate Carer's Credit application.
How does Carer's Credit help your State Pension?
Your State Pension depends on your National Insurance record. Carer's Credit provides Class 3 credits for qualifying weeks, which can help fill gaps caused by caring responsibilities.
You can check whether the credits appear on your record and how your projected pension is affected. Helpydo's guide to checking your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record explains that separate process.
How do you apply for Carer's Credit?
The application is currently a paper process. Download the official CC1 application pack, print the form and complete it with a pen.
DWP states that the form must be completed by the carer or the carer's representative, not by the person being looked after.
You can also ask the Carer's Allowance Unit to send you a printed form or request an alternative format such as large print, braille or audio CD.
Where do you post the CC1 form?
Send the completed application to:
Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit
GOV.UK says to write nothing except that freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.
Can you apply for Carer's Credit online?
No full online claim route is currently provided on GOV.UK. The official application form must be printed, completed with a pen and posted.
You can download the form online, but downloading it is not the same as submitting the claim online.
How late can you apply for Carer's Credit?
The National Insurance rules state that an application should normally be received before the end of the tax year following the tax year for which the credit is claimed.
The regulations also allow a later application to be considered where DWP considers the additional time reasonable in the circumstances. Because late acceptance is discretionary, apply as soon as possible rather than relying on an extension.
What happens if you take a break from caring?
You can continue to qualify during a break from caring of up to 12 consecutive weeks.
GOV.UK gives examples including a short holiday, the person you care for going into hospital, or you going into hospital.
Tell the Carer's Allowance Unit if your break lasts more than 12 weeks in a row.
Can caring hours for more than one person count?
Yes. The eligibility test covers caring for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week in total, subject to the other qualifying conditions.
The application rules require information about the person or people being cared for and, where relevant, the qualifying benefit or professional confirmation of the care required.
Does Carer's Credit cost anything or depend on income?
There is no application fee listed by DWP. The postal address is Freepost, so a stamp is not required.
Carer's Credit is also not means tested: GOV.UK states that income, savings and investments do not affect eligibility.
How long does DWP take to decide a claim?
DWP does not publish a fixed processing-time target on the current Carer's Credit claim guidance. Complete the form fully and include a Care Certificate where one is required to reduce avoidable delays.
What if your Carer's Credit application is refused?
If you disagree with DWP's decision, you can challenge it by asking for a mandatory reconsideration.
Follow the instructions in the decision notice and act within any deadline stated for challenging the decision.
Common Carer's Credit mistakes to avoid
- Applying even though you already receive automatic credits through Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment.
- Assuming you need 35 hours of care: Carer's Credit requires at least 20 hours a week.
- Thinking Carer's Credit is a cash payment rather than a National Insurance credit.
- Assuming income or savings prevent a claim.
- Leaving out the Care Certificate when the cared-for person does not receive a listed qualifying benefit.
- Trying to submit the CC1 form fully online when the current official process requires a printed form.
- Waiting too long to claim credits for an earlier tax year.
- Failing to tell the Carer's Allowance Unit about a break in caring lasting more than 12 consecutive weeks.
What should you check before sending the form?
Confirm that you are under State Pension age and provide at least 20 hours of care a week. Check whether you already receive National Insurance credits automatically and whether the person you care for receives a listed qualifying benefit.
If a Care Certificate is needed, have an appropriate health or social care professional complete it. Then complete the current CC1 form, post it to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit and keep a copy for your records. After the claim has been dealt with, check your National Insurance record to make sure the relevant credits are recorded.
Frequently asked questions
What is Carer's Credit?
Carer's Credit is a Class 3 National Insurance credit that can help fill gaps in your National Insurance record while you have caring responsibilities. It is not a cash payment.
How many hours of care do I need to provide for Carer's Credit?
You must care for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week.
Is there an earnings limit for Carer's Credit?
No. GOV.UK states that your income, savings and investments do not affect eligibility for Carer's Credit.
Can I get Carer's Credit if I do not qualify for Carer's Allowance?
Yes. DWP specifically says carers who do not qualify for Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment may qualify for Carer's Credit if they meet the Carer's Credit conditions.
Do I need Carer's Credit if I already get Carer's Allowance?
No. If you get Carer's Allowance payments, you receive National Insurance credits automatically.
Do I need to apply if I get Universal Credit?
Universal Credit gives Class 3 National Insurance credits automatically, so check your National Insurance record before making an unnecessary Carer's Credit application.
Can I get Carer's Credit if the person I care for does not receive PIP or another listed benefit?
Possibly. Complete the Care Certificate and ask an appropriate health or social care professional to confirm the level of care required.
Which part of PIP qualifies for Carer's Credit?
The person you care for can qualify through the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment.
Can I apply for Carer's Credit online?
The form can be downloaded online, but the current GOV.UK process requires CC1 to be printed, completed with a pen and posted.
Where do I send the Carer's Credit form?
Send it to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. GOV.UK says no postcode or stamp is required.
How far back can I claim Carer's Credit?
An application should normally reach DWP before the end of the tax year following the tax year in which the qualifying care took place. A later claim may be considered if extra time is considered reasonable.
Can I still get Carer's Credit during a holiday or hospital stay?
Yes. Breaks from caring of up to 12 consecutive weeks can still be covered, including certain holidays or hospital stays.
What happens if my caring break lasts more than 12 weeks?
Tell the Carer's Allowance Unit if a break in caring lasts more than 12 weeks in a row, because it can affect eligibility.
Does Carer's Credit increase my State Pension?
It can help by adding Class 3 credits to your National Insurance record. Whether it changes your eventual State Pension depends on your individual record.
What can I do if DWP refuses my Carer's Credit claim?
You can challenge the decision by asking for mandatory reconsideration.
Official sources
GOV.UK - Carer's Credit overviewGOV.UK - Carer's Credit eligibilityGOV.UK - What you'll get with Carer's CreditGOV.UK - How to claim Carer's CreditDepartment for Work and Pensions - Carer's Credit application formGOV.UK - National Insurance credits eligibilityGOV.UK - National Insurance credits overviewHM Revenue & Customs - National Insurance Manual NIM41262: persons engaged in caringDepartment for Work and Pensions - Your State Pension explainedRelated procedures
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