§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what safeguards are in place to ensure that people whose National Insurance contributions are interrupted receive information about home responsibility protection; and what estimate he has made of the level of take-up of home responsibility protection among eligible carers and parents. [102605]
§ Malcolm WicksPeople claiming Child Benefit are given full information about Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) which includes advice as to whom in a couple should be the payee where HRP would be beneficial. However, the award of HRP for Child
288WBenefit payees caring for a child under 16 is automatic and therefore the take-up for those entitled to HRP via this route will be 100 per cent. Most people caring for a severely disabled person will receive Invalid Care Allowance (ICA). People getting ICA will be credited with National Insurance contributions so they will not need HRP. Where ICA is not appropriate, or the carer decides not to claim it, various leaflets, including the PM9, specifically designed for carers, does give information about claiming HRP. Where the carer is receiving Income Support for a full tax year and is not required to register for work because of their caring activities, HRP will be available automatically. However, it is not possible to identify and provide specific information to people who give up work to care for a disabled person and who do not make any claims to benefit or inquiries about protection of their state pension, but the Department publicises the availability of HRP. From April, HRP will also be available to registered foster carers who do not currently get HRP by virtue of caring for a child of their own under 16.