National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. This can assist taxpayers to build up the amount of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions which can increase the amount of benefits a person is entitled to such as the State Pension.

National Insurance credits are available in certain situations where people are not working and, therefore, not paying National Insurance credit. For example, credits may be available to those looking for work, who are ill, disabled or on sick pay, on maternity or paternity leave, caring for someone or on jury service.

The CA9176 form is used to apply for National Insurance childcare Class 3 credits if you are an adult family member caring for a child under 12 (usually while the parent or main carer is working). This form has been updated to include care that is being provided from a distance because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) - for example, by telephone or video if the carer was required to self-isolate. This Coronavirus measure applies to the 2019-20 and 2020-21 tax years.

Depending on your circumstances, National Insurance credits may be applied automatically or an application for credits may be required. There are two types of National Insurance credits available, either Class 1 or Class 3. Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension and certain bereavement benefits whilst Class 1 covers these as well as other benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.