NI credits for Child Benefit after 12

[HowDidIMissThat]

I've only just found out that NI Credits stop when your child is 12. I don't remember ever seeing anything about this. I've been a SAHM since DD(14) was born for a variety of reasons including my own poor health, she developed a chronic illness/disability 3-4years ago that has prevented me from returning to work as I had planned. I've just submitted an application for DLA (procrastinated as I just kept thinking/hoping she'd get better).

I was getting the Child Benefit NI credits as DH earns over the threshold, I stupidly assumed they'd continue until age 16 as that's how long CB is. How is it right that I can't continue to get credits until that age? So now I'm about 1.5yrs without a contribution. Any ideas if there's anything I can do about this, I know I can make a voluntary contribution to make it up but it doesn't seem fair given that CB pays until age 16

If your child is awarded DLA at middle or higher rate then you can claim carers allowance which also pays NI credits. There is also a carers element on UC, if you claim that.

in the meantime you can investigate Carers Credit, this doesn’t have any monetary value but does pay NI. You don’t necessarily have to be caring for someone who receives DLA as there is an alternative path through completing a care certificate https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit

if you yourself are ill or disabled then you could try and claim PIP for yourself or do an ESA credit only claim.

@TwoBlueFish thank you!
the form has only just gone in for DLA, I was aware of the Carers Allowance but assumed I couldn't apply until we got a decision on an award (which will take an age, min 20weeks atm apparently).

I definitely need as much pension help as I can get, we don't know if she'll ever be independent. I'll look into the Carer's credits now.

My health is much improved so I wouldn't qualify for PIP

You can pay voluntary NI contributions to bridge the gap. However, you probably won’t need to.

You can check your state pension entitlement here www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

@Harassedevictee thanks yes I know i can pay to make up the lost years but it doesn't seem equitable when CB is paid until 16. Why do you say I probably won't need to?

I'm about 10yrs off a full pension credit & given I can't work due to caring duties I'm not going to be able to contribute that way. I'm hoping DLA will be awarded (it should) & then I can apply for Carer's Allowance etc. but I may still have lost 3 years by the time that all comes around, she'll be 15 so the award will only be for a year before we then need to attempt PIP & that is another story. So I'll still likely be short.

Child benefit NI credit is only paid to 12 because unless your child is disabled it is reasonable for parents to work and pay NI.

It sounds like you will be eligible for carers allowance which gives NI credits. This is unlikely to change so you should get enough years for a full state pension. That is why I said you probably won’t need to pay the missing years. If you don’t get carers allowance then you need to reconsider.

@Harassedevictee thanks I understand what you mean. Yes I think I should be able to get Carer's Allowance once we have the DLA decision. Annoyed with myself that this piece of information passed me by.

Change happened in 2010, from 16 to 12, I suspect it'll be reduced further in the coming years

Also search pension forcast, log in/create an account and see what ni contributions you already have and what you need

@Cartwrightandson thanks yes I've done that which is how I spotted I hadn't had any credits for 2 years.