Guardian's Allowance | GOV.UK

You could get Guardian’s Allowance if you’re bringing up a child whose parents have died. You may also be eligible if there’s one surviving parent.

The Guardian’s Allowance rate is £17.90 a week. You get it on top of Child Benefit and it’s tax-free.

You must tell the Guardian’s Allowance Unit about certain changes to your circumstances.

What is the Guardian's Allowance?

You could get Guardian’s Allowance if you’re bringing up a child whose parents have died.

Depending on the circumstances, you could also be eligible if there is one surviving parent.

Am I eligible?

To get Guardian’s Allowance all of the following must apply:

  • you’re bringing up someone else’s child
  • the child’s parents are dead (see conditions for one surviving parent below)
  • you qualify for Child Benefit
  • one of the parents was born in the UK (or was living in the UK since the age of 16 for at least 52 weeks in any 2-year period)

If you adopt a child you may still get Guardian’s Allowance as long as you were getting it before you adopted the child.

If there is one surviving parent

You could get Guardian’s Allowance if one of the following is true:

  • you don’t know where the surviving parent is
  • the parents were divorced or their civil partnership had dissolved, the surviving parent doesn’t have custody and isn’t maintaining the child and there isn’t a court order in place saying they should
  • the parents weren’t married, the mother has died and the father is unknown
  • the surviving parent will be in prison for at least 2 years from the date of death of the other parent
  • the surviving parent is in a hospital by court order

For more information including what you will get, how to claim and other useful information please go to the web link below.

Who to contact

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