Guardian's Allowance: a payment for raising a child whose parents died

Guardian's Allowance is a little-known but important payment for people bringing up a child who has lost their parents. Even those entitled to it often do not know it exists.

How much is paid?

The payment is £22.95 a week for each eligible child. It is paid on top of Child Benefit, so you receive both. Guardian's Allowance is tax-free.

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Who qualifies?

You may qualify if you are raising a child both of whose parents have died. In some cases it is awarded when one parent is still living — for example if the other parent's whereabouts are unknown or they are serving a long prison sentence. Because it is paid on top of Child Benefit, Child Benefit must also be in payment for that child (you can be the one receiving it).

How do you claim?

You claim from HMRC on a specific form; you usually need the parents' death certificates and the child's birth certificate. The payment can be backdated, so do not delay. Details and the form are on GOV.UK.

What should you keep in mind?

Adopting the child can affect entitlement, and such changes must be reported to HMRC. Guardian's Allowance does not replace other support: families raising bereaved children may also qualify for other benefits, so it is worth a full benefits check — free from, for example, Citizens Advice. If the child's circumstances change (moving away, not living with you), you must also tell HMRC to avoid overpayments.

How does it fit with other support?

Guardian's Allowance is not counted as income for most benefit calculations and is paid on top of Child Benefit, so it adds to rather than replaces other help. Families raising bereaved children often qualify for other payments too — Child Benefit, child elements of Universal Credit and more — so a full benefits check is worth doing.

What matters when applying?

You claim from HMRC; you usually need the parents' death certificates and the child's birth certificate. Where the second parent's death cannot be confirmed (for example their whereabouts are unknown), the allowance is still sometimes awarded — check with HMRC. You must report changes in the child's circumstances (adoption, moving, the child no longer living with you) to avoid an overpayment that is later recovered. The payment can be backdated, so do not delay.