Carers’ HRP: Proving 35 Hours a Week & Benefit Link
Why the 35-Hour Threshold Matters – HRP Carer Evidence Guide
Why the 35-Hour Threshold Matters
The 35-hour threshold evidences substantial caring activity for HRP. Your documents should anchor to each tax year (6 April – 5 April) and, where relevant, link to disability benefits such as DLA or Attendance Allowance.
What Counts as Evidence (Primary & Alternatives)
- Medical/care letters: GP, consultant, community nurse, or social-worker letters naming the cared-for person and you as the carer, with dates inside the tax year.
- Care plans/reviews: periodic plans or review notes that cover the relevant period.
- Benefit references: DLA or Attendance Allowance award/renewal letters overlapping the year.
- Alternatives when official letters are thin:
- Short dated witness statements (e.g., from another family member or neighbour).
- Employer letters confirming adjusted hours due to caring.
- Care diaries/logs with specific dates and tasks.
Align Your Evidence to Tax Years (Mini-Checklist)
- Does each item clearly point to the correct year (or is it bridged to it)?
- Are names consistent across documents (use marriage/deed poll to bridge changes)?
- Do you have an address bridge where needed (council tax, tenancy, bank or utility letters)?
Build a One-Page Annex and Label Exhibits
Create an annex with one line per tax year, listing the basis (Carer or CB), evidence codes, and a short note. Place labelled exhibits behind it (e.g., B1 GP letter, B2 care plan, A1 CB award, C2 marriage certificate, C3 council-tax bridge).
Example Row
| Tax Year | Basis | Evidence Codes | Short Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Carer | B1, B2, C3 | Care plan (Apr–Nov 96), GP letter (Feb 97), council-tax bridge |
Quality Control (Avoid Common Pitfalls)
- Blurry scans or cut-off corners hiding names/dates → re-scan cleanly.
- Vague statements with no dates → pair with dated letters or bridge with another dated item.
- Missing annex → forces caseworkers to sift through raw papers.
- Name or address changes not bridged across 1978–2002.
Short Cover Note Template
“This request asks for HRP to be recorded for the years listed in the annex on the basis of caring 35+ hours per week.
Exhibits B1–B4 show the care context; A-series show Child Benefit where applicable; C-series bridge identity/address.
All documents are dated or bridged to the relevant tax years.”
FAQs
Do I need DLA/AA for HRP?
Not always. DLA or Attendance Allowance strengthen the evidence, but caring can also be proved with medical/care letters and dated statements.
Are diaries acceptable?
Yes — especially when they show specific dates/times and align to the tax year. Pair with at least one formal letter.
Originals or copies?
Start with clear scans; provide certified copies or originals only if requested.
Written by Evanshaw HRP Team — helping carers evidence 35-hour thresholds for accurate HRP recognition and pension correction.