'Carer's credit' left unclaimed

Royal London and Carers UK are calling for a more proactive approach from government to ensure carers start claiming ‘carer's credit' after obtaining information from the DWP. A Freedom of Information reply revealed that just 3,524 people claimed the National Insurance credit, designed to allow disabled carers access to better state pensions, between 2016 and 2017 ­- 97% short of the 160,000 originally estimated. Royal London estimates that credits would add £237 each year to a carer's state pension; £4,700 over the course of a typical 20-year retirement. With 155,000 carers potent...