DWP

This is a real issue for rural carers and merits some real campaigning to ensure it is addressed. This story tells us:

Not working while caring for someone who is sick or infirm leaves gaps in National Insurance payments, hitting your state pension.

In 2010 the Government launched Carer’s Credit to fill the gap.

However, more than 90% of those eligible for the credit in 2018 did not claim it, according to a Freedom of Information request by Quilter, the wealth adviser.

The Department for Work and Pensions estimates around 200,000 carers are eligible for the credit, but only 17,388 claimed it last year.

Jon Greer, of Quilter, said: “Unpaid carers save the UK £132bn a year. But they sometimes don’t even see themselves as carers or the extent of the sacrifice they are making.”

To receive Carer’s Credit you must be between 16 and state pension age and look after at least one person for a minimum of 20 hours a week.