HRP After Death: Can Families or Executors Claim Arrears?

HRP Arrears Claims After Death – Recovering State Pension Underpayments

HRP Arrears Claims After Death

Recovering State Pension underpayments where Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was missing during life.

Where HRP was missing during life, there may be State Pension underpayments. Once HRP credits are applied, the estate can often claim arrears. This guide explains who can act, what to send, and how to escalate if progress stalls.

Who Can Claim (Standing & Authority)

The right person is usually the executor named on the grant of probate, or the administrator named on letters of administration. If neither is in place, an eligible next of kin should obtain authority before asking for HRP correction and arrears.

Evidence & Bundle Contents

Mirror a living claimant pack, adapted for the estate:

• A one-page annex (year-by-year).
• Exhibits proving: Child Benefit claimant identity, name linkage (marriage certificate/deed poll if relevant), address history, and care evidence where applicable.
• The deceased’s NI number and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Quality checks: clear scans, visible names and dates, bridged name changes, and no cropped corners.

The Annex (Estate Version)

For each tax year, list the basis (Child Benefit or Carer), the CB claimant, whether the deceased was the main carer, and evidence codes (A-series for Child Benefit, B-series for care/medical, C-series for identity & linkage). This helps caseworkers validate years quickly and reduces follow-up queries.

Mini-Table Pattern

Submission Wording (What to Ask For)

Mark correspondence clearly as:

“Estate of [Full Name, Date of Birth, NI Number]”

Confirm your authority and request:

• Application of HRP credits for the specified tax years; and
• A calculation of State Pension arrears payable to the estate account.

Keep proof of submission and maintain a simple chronology log (date, action, reference).

Timelines, Tracking & Escalation

• Plan for 4–6 week checkpoints.
• If progress stalls, file a written complaint with your timeline and the remedy sought.
• If unresolved, escalate to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE).
• For maladministration, contact the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) via your MP.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

• Missing probate/letters → attach authority up front.
• No annex → forces caseworkers to sift through raw papers.
• Undated or illegible scans → re-scan; ensure names & dates are visible.
• Name changes not bridged → include marriage/deed poll and address links.
• No explicit arrears payment instruction to the estate account.

Illustrative Example (Estate)

The executor for Mrs K identified three HRP-affected years in the 1980s. The pack included probate, a precise annex, CB letters naming the spouse, and a council-tax bridge. HRP was applied and arrears were paid to the estate within the quarter.

FAQs

Can families claim without probate?
Generally, an executor or administrator is required. If no authority exists yet, obtain it before requesting HRP correction.

Do I need to send originals?
Start with clear scans or certified copies. Provide originals only if specifically requested.

What if Child Benefit letters are missing?
Use alternatives: bank references to CB, HMRC letters, tenancy or council-tax bridges, and short dated witness statements.

How long does it take?
Timeframes vary. A precise annex, clean scans, and prompt replies usually shorten the process.

Written by Evanshaw HRP Team — supporting executors and families to recover missing State Pension years through HRP estate reviews.