HRP Transfer When Your Partner Claimed Child Benefit — Main Carer Guide

Who counts as the ‘main carer’?

HMRC expects evidence that you were the person primarily responsible for day-to-day care during the relevant tax years. Indicators include who was at home with the child most, who handled school and medical appointments, and where the child lived.

Eligibility quick-check (1978–2010)

• Child Benefit existed for the child during the tax year(s) in question.

• Child Benefit was in your partner’s name, but you were the main carer.

• Your NI record shows a gap (missing qualifying year) for that period.

• You can produce documents linking you, the child, and the address in those years.

Evidence bundle HMRC accepts (build this by tax year)

• Child Benefit proof: partner’s Child Benefit award letters, CB reference number, bank statements showing CB payments.

• Main-carer evidence: school letters or reports naming you; GP or hospital letters naming you; nursery or childcare statements; immunisation records tied to your details.

• Identity & address linkage: marriage certificate or deed poll; council tax, tenancy, or utility bills showing the same household as the child; birth certificates.

• Cover note: a short table mapping each tax year to the documents you are providing.

How to request an HRP transfer to the main carer (step-by-step)

1) Get your NI record and mark the gap years: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

2) Confirm Child Benefit existed in your partner’s name for those years (award letters or bank references).

3) Assemble main-carer evidence for the same years (school, GP, childcare documents).

4) Write a short cover note stating: “Child Benefit was in my partner’s name; I was the main carer in [years]. Please transfer HRP.” Reference each tax year.

5) Apply for HRP on GOV.UK (CF411) and attach your cover note and evidence: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-home-responsibilities-protection

6) Track and chase: diarise 4, 8, and 12-week chasers and keep proof of submission.

Template — Main Carer HRP Transfer (copy/paste)

Subject: HRP Transfer Request — Main Carer — [Your NI] — [Tax years]

Dear HMRC HRP Team,

Child Benefit for [child’s name, date of birth] was in my partner’s name, but I was the main carer in the following tax years: [list years]. Please transfer HRP for those years to my National Insurance record.

Evidence enclosed (by tax year):

• 1989–90 — Partner’s CB award letter (Ref: [CB ref]); council tax bill (address); school letter naming me as parent or carer.

• 1990–91 — Bank statement showing CB payments; GP letter naming me; utility bill at our address.

• 1991–92 — [repeat per year].

Identity and address linkage: marriage certificate or deed poll attached; documents show continuity of name and address across the years.

Please confirm the transfer and update my NI record.

Yours faithfully,

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

Common pitfalls (avoid these)

• No dates on letters — HMRC must see which tax year each document relates to.

• No identity or address bridge — include marriage certificate or deed poll and address proofs.

• No explicit transfer request — clearly state: “Please transfer HRP from my partner’s CB record to my NI record.”

• Buying Class 3 too soon — wait until HRP is decided; you may not need to pay.

FAQs

Can both partners get HRP for the same period? No. HRP is attributed to the main carer only.

Do I need my partner’s permission? HMRC relies on objective evidence that you were the main carer. Partner statements can help but are not decisive on their own.

How long will it take? Timelines vary. Plan for several weeks and diarise chasers at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Official links

Apply for HRP (CF411) — GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-home-responsibilities-protection

Check your NI record — GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

Get a State Pension forecast — GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension