How to Appeal a Rejected Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) Claim

Quick answer

If your HRP request was rejected, you can challenge it. Most refusals are due to identity or linkage issues (name changes, old addresses), missing Child Benefit cross-references, or insufficient caring evidence (pre-April 2002). Fix the evidence gaps, ask HMRC to reconsider, and escalate through the formal complaints and adjudication routes if needed.

Typical reasons HRP claims are refused

• Child Benefit not matched to your NI record (often first claim before May 2000 when NI numbers were not captured).

• You were the main carer but Child Benefit was in a partner’s name and no transfer request or evidence was supplied.

• Pre-2002 caring credits: letters do not name you as the carer or do not show dates or qualifying benefits.

• Split identity (maiden and married names, different addresses) not bridged in the evidence.

• Insufficient year-by-year breakdown tying evidence to specific tax years.

5-Step appeal plan (plain English)

1) Read the decision carefully and highlight the exact wording or reason codes used for refusal or partial acceptance.

2) Build or repair your evidence pack using the checklist below and map each document to specific tax years.

3) Write a short “Request for Reconsideration” cover note (template below) and attach your evidence pack.

4) Send everything to the HMRC HRP team via the channel listed in your decision letter (post or online upload). Keep proof of sending.

5) Diary chasers (for example, at 4, 8, and 12 weeks). If unresolved or refused again, move to escalation.

Evidence pack — checklist by scenario

Child Benefit route (most cases)

• Child Benefit award letters; bank statements showing “Child Benefit”; birth certificates; Child Benefit reference number.

• If a partner claimed Child Benefit: partner’s details plus a statement confirming you were the main carer, with a request for HRP transfer.

• Address linkage: tenancy agreements, council tax, or utility bills matching the address on Child Benefit correspondence.

Name change / split records

• Marriage certificate or deed poll; HMRC or DWP letters under old and new names; bank, GP, or school letters bridging names and addresses.

Pre-5 April 2002 caring credits (around 35 hours per week)

• Letter naming you as the carer with dates; proof the cared-for person received a qualifying benefit; GP, hospital, or care plan documentation.

Executors (posthumous claims)

• Grant of probate or letters of administration; HRP evidence as above; executor contact details for correspondence.

Templates — copy, paste, adapt

A) Subject line: HRP Reconsideration Request — [Your NI number] — [Tax years]

Dear HMRC HRP Team,

I am writing to request reconsideration of my HRP claim decision dated [dd/mm/yyyy]. The refusal cites: “[reason text or code]”. I have enclosed a corrected, year-by-year evidence pack addressing each point raised.

Summary of enclosed evidence (by tax year):

• 1989–90 — Child Benefit award letter (Ref: [CB ref]); address: [address]; birth certificate of [child].

• 1990–91 — Bank statement showing Child Benefit credit; council tax bill matching address.

• 1991–92 — [Repeat per year].

Name and address linkage: My maiden name was [X]. I married on [date]. A marriage certificate is attached, and council tax or utility bills confirm continuity of residence.

Main carer (Child Benefit in partner’s name): My partner [name, NI if known] was the Child Benefit claimant. I was the main carer during the relevant years, and we request HRP transfer for those periods.

Please reconsider the decision and confirm the corrected HRP years.

Yours faithfully,

[Name] | NI: [AB123456C] | DoB: [dd/mm/yyyy] | Address: [current address] | Phone/email

Suggested timeline & chaser schedule

• Week 0 — Submit reconsideration with full evidence pack and save proof of postage or upload.

• Week 4 — Chaser #1: polite status request, re-attaching the summary table.

• Week 8 — Chaser #2: ask whether further evidence is required and offer a phone review.

• Week 12 — If unresolved, submit a formal complaint and request a manager review.

Escalation ladder if still unsuccessful

1) HMRC formal complaint: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-hmrc

2) The Adjudicator’s Office (independent of HMRC/DWP): https://www.adjudicatorsoffice.gov.uk/

3) Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (via your MP): https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/

Tip: Keep a dated log of calls, letters, and uploads and attach it to any complaint.

Special cases

• Partial awards: ask HMRC which years were accepted or refused and why, then address only the refused years.

• Pending Class 3 purchases: pause. Do not buy additional years until HRP is decided.

• Pension Credit interactions: if your State Pension increases later, you may need to notify Pension Credit or other benefits.

FAQs

How long does an appeal take? It varies with workloads. Plan for 8–12 weeks or longer and diarise chasers.

Will HMRC backdate payments? If HRP adds qualifying years and your pension should have been higher, arrears are usually paid for the underpaid period.

Can Evanshaw handle the appeal? Yes. We review your decision notice, rebuild the evidence pack, draft the reconsideration letter, submit it, and chase.

Official links

Apply or appeal HRP (CF411): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-home-responsibilities-protection

Complain to HMRC: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-hmrc

The Adjudicator’s Office: https://www.adjudicatorsoffice.gov.uk/

Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/