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last mo.

Grandparents’ Childcare NI Credit Applications Surge 43% but Thousands Remain Unaware

Lack of targeted outreach is preventing many eligible family carers from claiming credits that could boost their pensions by thousands.

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With just a couple of months until the summer holidays, many parents may already be calling on grandparents for help with childcare (Christopher Hopefitch/Getty)
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Overview

  • Applications surged 43% to 42,964 between October 2023 and September 2024, more than twice the volume seen four years earlier.
  • In the past five years, 131,594 people applied for SAC credits and 104,433 claims were approved by HMRC.
  • Each year of transferred credit adds £330 to the state pension, equating to almost £6,600 over a 20-year retirement.
  • Family carers under state pension age looking after a child under 12 whose parent claims Child Benefit can apply online via form CA9176 after October 31, with the option to backdate claims to April 6, 2011.
  • Experts led by Quilter’s Jon Greer are urging the Department for Work and Pensions to increase targeted outreach in lower-income communities to close awareness gaps.