HRP Eligibility Checker: 12 Yes/No Questions to Self‑Assess in 5 Minutes

1) Did you first claim Child Benefit (CB) before May 2000?

• If YES: Strong indicator HRP may be missing because pre-May-2000 forms often didn’t capture NI numbers properly. Evidence: CB award letters; birth certificates; school letters; bank statements showing “Child Benefit”; any HMRC/CB reference numbers. Next step: Submit HRP claim (CF411). If your partner was the CB claimant, see Q2 to transfer.

• If NO: Later CB claims were usually auto-linked, but HRP can still be missing. Evidence: As above. Next step: Check NI record gaps for those years (Q3); claim if gaps line up with CB years.

2) Were you the main carer while CB was in your partner’s name?

• If YES: You can request a transfer of HRP to you for those years (main-carer route). Evidence: Proof you were the main carer (letters from school/GP/health visitor; tenancy/bills in your name at the child’s address; statements about day-to-day care). Partner details help HMRC match records. Next step: Apply to transfer HRP for each year you were the main carer (include partner’s details where possible).

• If NO: Use your own CB claim history or caring route (Q6) if applicable. Evidence/Next step: Proceed via your own CB or caring evidence.

3) Do your NI ‘gap’ years overlap with years you had CB or were caring?

• If YES: High-confidence HRP candidate. Evidence: Timeline list of each tax year with “CB/caring” noted; copies of proofs. Next step: Claim HRP for overlapping years (CF411).

• If NO: HRP may not fill those gaps; look at other credits or paid contributions.

4) Did your name change (marriage/deed poll) during 1978–2010?

• If YES: A frequent cause of split NI records and missing HRP. Evidence: Marriage certificate/deed poll; documents showing both names; CB letters in old/new names. Next step: Include name-history evidence with HRP claim; ask HMRC/DWP to link records.

• If NO: Proceed—still supply any former names if they ever appeared on CB/caring paperwork.

5) Do you lack CB letters but have bank refs showing CB paid in?

• If YES: That is acceptable supporting evidence. Evidence: Bank statements with “Child Benefit” or HMRC payee; child’s DOB; address at the time. Next step: Submit HRP with statements; optionally request duplicate CB letters/printouts from HMRC.

• If NO: Substitute evidence is fine.

6) Were you a main carer up to 5 Apr 2002 (35h/week) for someone on a qualifying benefit?

• If YES: You may qualify for HRP under the caring route for those years. Evidence: Letters naming you as the carer; proof the cared-for person received a qualifying benefit (e.g., Attendance Allowance, DLA, Constant Attendance or similar at the time); GP/clinic letters. Next step: Claim HRP for caring years (list start/stop dates by tax year).

• If NO: Skip caring route; rely on CB years and other evidence.

7) Do you have school/medical/care documents that prove the caring context?

• If YES: Strengthens your file—especially where formal CB letters are missing. Evidence: School admissions/attendance; GP/health-visitor notes; hospital appointment letters; EHCP/Statement (if relevant); social worker correspondence. Next step: Attach copies for each year claimed.

• If NO: Use alternatives (bank statements; HMRC printouts; birth certificates; tenancy/bills tying you to the child’s address).

8) Do your addresses in 1978–2010 differ from what HMRC/DWP hold now?

• If YES: Mismatched addresses often block record-matching. Evidence: Tenancy/council tax/utility bills; electoral roll; GP/dental registrations; child’s school letters showing the family address. Next step: Include an address history with dates; ask HMRC to update their records and link addresses.

• If NO: Proceed—still list prior addresses if any CB/caring evidence shows a different one.

9) Have you ever been told your pension is lower than expected?

• If YES: This is a practical trigger to review HRP. Evidence: DWP pension forecast; award letters; any call notes; NI record showing gaps. Next step: Claim HRP for missing years and request recalculation/back-payments if corrected.

• If NO: You should still check—many underpayments were only found after a proactive review.

10) Was CB claimed at a different address to where you lived?

• If YES: Explain the circumstances (e.g., temporary living arrangements) to avoid HMRC rejecting on mismatch. Evidence: Both addresses with dates; documents linking you/child to each. Next step: Provide a short cover note in your HRP claim clarifying the timeline and who lived where.

• If NO: Proceed normally.

11) Are you an executor for someone who may have missed HRP?

• If YES: You can claim HRP posthumously; arrears are paid to the estate/next of kin. Evidence: Grant of probate/letters of administration; decedent’s NI number; CB/caring evidence. Next step: Submit on behalf of the estate; note relationship and provide authority documents.

• If NO: Ignore this route unless acting for a relative’s estate.

12) Do you plan to buy Class 3 years but haven’t checked HRP first?

• If YES: Stop. HRP may convert missing years into qualifying years and save you money. Evidence: NI record; list of candidate HRP years. Next step: Get the HRP decision first, then reassess any remaining shortfalls. • If NO: Still review HRP eligibility before purchasing contributions.