Over 100,000 Brits could be entitled to over £10,000 from the government
Over 100,000 Brits could be entitled to over £10,000 from the government
- Over 100,000 people could be eligible for a state pension increase of thousands
- People have been advised not to bin letters they receive from HMRC
- The letters will initially be sent to people who have reached the statutory retirement age of 66
More than 100,000 Britons could be entitled to more than £10,000 in state pensions from the government.
An error in Social Security records affecting everyone who took time off work to care for family between 1978 and 2010 means you could be eligible for the government payout.
People have been advised not to throw away letters they receive from Tax and Customs (HMRC) as it could mean missing out on the chance to boost their state pension by thousands of pounds Money saving expert.
The letters will initially be sent to everyone who has reached the statutory retirement age of 66. Further phases will follow.
Potential applicants should also be aware that HMRC, in its role as a government agency, will not pressure anyone to transfer money over the phone.
More than 100,000 Britons could be entitled to more than £10,000 in state pensions from the government. An error in Social Security records affecting everyone who took time off work to care for family between 1978 and 2010 means you could be eligible for the government payout
A government spokesman said: “We have identified an issue relating to the historical record of Home Responsibilities Protection in social security records for people who first claimed child benefit before May 2000 and are correcting this issue.”
“Most people’s files will remain unaffected and we have launched a new online tool to help people check whether they need to make a claim.” HMRC has started writing to those likely to be affected.
“State pension underpayment rates are very low, but when errors occur we aim to resolve them as quickly as possible.”
HMRC assured that “most people’s records will not be affected by a lack of HRP”.
Further information about eligibility and How to apply for HRP is available on the government website.
The agency also said individuals should verify their information before making a claim Eligibility for HRP.
HMRC added: “The letters will be sent nationwide and in stages, in order of how close customers are to state pension age. “Those over state pension age will be contacted first.
“We will take a test and learn approach and aim to reach out to several hundred thousand people over the next 18 months.”