John Hughie
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an urgent call to more than 200,000 parents across the UK who may be entitled to a £5,000 State Pension top-up, following errors in National Insurance (NI) records linked to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP).
The issue dates back to 1978–2010, when HRP was designed to protect the pensions of parents and carers who claimed Child Benefit, ensuring that years spent out of paid employment wouldn’t count against their State Pension entitlement.
However, due to system failures, many eligible claimants—particularly mothers—were not credited correctly.
What Is the HRP Issue?
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was introduced to reduce the number of qualifying NI years required for the Basic State Pension, especially for parents or carers who weren’t working full-time.
HRP was supposed to be automatically applied to those receiving Child Benefit, but thousands were missed due to a long-running record-keeping error.
The average pension loss per person is around £5,000.
How Many Are Affected?
The scope of the issue is massive:
| Details | Figures |
|---|---|
| Total potentially affected | 194,000+ parents |
| Letters sent to affected individuals | 370,000+ since autumn 2023 |
| Claims processed in 2024–2025 | 12,379 |
| Total top-ups paid out (2024–2025) | £104 million |
| Fund originally set aside | £1.2 billion |
| Revised estimated payout fund (2025 report) | £29.8 million |
This dramatic £1 billion reduction in projected repayments reflects a lack of public awareness, low application numbers, and government struggles to reunite people with their owed payments.
Why So Few Have Claimed?
Despite targeted letter campaigns and an online checker tool, many eligible parents have not responded or found the application process too complex.
A former pensions minister has described the government’s approach as a “dismal failure,” calling for better outreach and simplified claiming procedures.
Due to the low take-up, the DWP has decided to shift from a short-term repayment initiative to an ongoing program with no deadline—meaning affected individuals can still claim in the future.
How to Check and Apply for HRP Correction
Anyone who:
- Claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010
- Was not working full-time due to parenting or caregiving duties
- Is now receiving a reduced State Pension
could be affected.
Here’s how to take action:
- Check your National Insurance record via the HMRC website.
- Use the HRP eligibility checker tool.
- Apply to add missing HRP credits online or by post.
- Call the HMRC helpline at 0300 200 3500 if you need help.
Why This Matters
The State Pension is a critical part of retirement income, especially for women who may already face pension gaps due to career breaks or part-time work.
A missing HRP credit could reduce a pensioner’s payments for life. For those affected, correcting this error could mean thousands of pounds more during retirement.
With up to 200,000 parents still unaware they may be missing State Pension entitlements, the DWP is urging families—especially mothers who claimed Child Benefit between 1978–2010—to check their records immediately.
This £5,000 top-up is more than just compensation; it’s about restoring fairness and financial dignity in retirement.
If you or someone you know may be affected, take action today. There is no time limit, and your future pension payments may depend on it.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the £5,000 State Pension top-up?
Parents or carers—mainly mothers—who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 but were not credited with HRP may qualify.
How do I check if I’ve been underpaid?
You can use the HRP checker tool or view your National Insurance record via the HMRC website or call 0300 200 3500.
Is there a deadline to claim missing HRP credits?
No. The DWP has now made this a long-term program with no expiry date, allowing affected people to apply anytime.
