What Is HRP? Eligibility, Evidence, and How to Fix Missing Years
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) protected State Pension entitlement for parents and carers between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2010. This guide explains who’s affected in 2025, how to spot missing HRP on your National Insurance (NI) record, and how to claim or transfer HRP with the right evidence.
Start your free HRP record check1) HRP, in plain English
HRP added protection to your NI record for years spent caring for a child or a disabled/ill person. After 2010, HRP was replaced by NI credits. If HRP wasn’t recorded correctly, your pension forecast can be lower than it should be.
2) Who is most at risk of missing HRP?
• People who first claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 and whose NI number wasn’t linked properly.
• People who were main carers up to 5 April 2002 but didn’t have the right evidence captured (35 hours/week plus the cared-for person on a qualifying benefit).
3) Quick checks you can do today
• View your NI record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK; download both as ‘before’ copies.
• Look for not-qualifying years that overlap CB/caring. These are prime candidates for HRP to be added.
• Do not buy Class 3 top-ups until HRP is reflected and you’ve re-checked the forecast.
4) Evidence that moves decisions
Use a one-page annex and label exhibits by tax year (6 April–5 April):
• A-series (Child Benefit): awards/renewals; bank ref to CB; HMRC CB letters.
• B-series (Care context): GP/consultant notes; care plans; school attendance (context for main carer).
• C-series (Identity & address bridges): photo ID; marriage/deed poll; council tax/tenancy; utilities/bank. Always bridge name/address changes so the decision-maker can follow your identity history.
Annex template (fill one line per year)
| Tax Year | Basis (CB/Carer) | CB Claimant | Main Carer? | Evidence Codes | Short Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | Child Benefit | You | Yes | A1, C3 | CB award; council tax at family home |
| 1994–95 | Child Benefit | You | Yes | A2, C3, C4 | Bank ref to CB; utility as address bridge |
| 1995–96 | Carer | — | Yes | B1, C3 | GP note confirms caring role; council tax |
5) How to claim or transfer HRP (CF411 online or by post)
• Claim online: the quickest route for missing HRP and partner transfers where CB was in the other partner’s name.
• Claim by post: print and complete the postal CF411; enclose annex + exhibits, and send tracked.
• Tip: prepare your bundle first so the online form is quick to complete.
6) Timelines, decisions and arrears
Once HRP is added, your NI record updates and your pension is recalculated. If you were underpaid, arrears can be issued. Keep a dated contact log and save ‘before/after’ NI and forecast PDFs.
7) If you get stuck: the escalation ladder
Mandatory Reconsideration → Complaint → Independent Case Examiner (ICE) → Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) via your MP. Each step should include a short cover note, the annex, and clean exhibits.