Grandparents could boost their state pension through childcare – are you eligible?

It is common for people to rely on the help of family members such as grandparents to care for a child, especially for parents who work. Through the Specified Adult Childcare credits, pensioners could increase the amount of state pension they receive by caring for a child.

For the full new state pension, which is for people who reach state pension age on or after April 6, 2016, 35 years are needed.

A minimum of 10 years of NI contributions are required to get any state pension.

Eligibility criteria

Anyone who meets the following criteria can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits:

• They are a grandparent, or other family member caring for a child under 12
• They were over 16, and under state pension age when they cared for the child
• They are ordinarily resident in the UK, excluding the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• The child’s parent or main carer is entitled to Child Benefit
• The child’s parent or main carer has a qualifying year for NI without needing the class 3 NI credits which they receive automatically from Child Benefit

How to apply

Anyone looking to apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits must complete an application form.

The requirements which must be filled on the application are as follows:

• Personal details of the applicant, which is the family member caring for the child
• Personal details of the child’s parent or main carer
• Child’s details and the periods of care

The applicant and the parent must both sign their declarations on the application.