Guardian’s Allowance is an often-overlooked benefit that provides extra financial support for people raising children who have lost their parents.
For the wider cluster covering ordinary Child Benefit claims, high-income rules and related family scenarios, use the main Child Benefit hub.
What Is Guardian’s Allowance?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rate (2026-27) | £21.75/week per qualifying child |
| Paid alongside | Child Benefit (you must be receiving CB for the child) |
| Means-tested? | No |
| Taxable? | No |
| Counts as income for UC? | No |
| Who administers it | HMRC (same as Child Benefit) |
Who Qualifies
The Child’s Circumstances
You qualify for Guardian’s Allowance if you’re caring for a child and:
Both parents have died
- The most straightforward qualification
One parent has died and the other:
- Cannot be traced (missing)
- Is serving a prison sentence of 2 years or more
- Is detained in hospital under a court order (e.g., under the Mental Health Act)
- Was not married to the deceased parent and their whereabouts are unknown
Your Circumstances
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Receiving Child Benefit | You must be the Child Benefit claimant for the child |
| Living in the UK | You and the child must normally live in the UK |
| Relationship | You don’t have to be a relative — anyone responsible for the child can claim |
| Age of child | Same qualifying conditions as Child Benefit (up to 16, or 20 if in education) |
How Much You Receive
Guardian’s Allowance is paid per qualifying child, on top of Child Benefit:
| Payment | Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Guardian’s Allowance per child | £21.75 | £1,131.00 |
| Child Benefit eldest/only child | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| Child Benefit additional children | £17.25 | £897.00 |
Example: Guardian of 2 Orphaned Children
| Benefit | Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Child Benefit (eldest) | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| Child Benefit (second) | £17.25 | £897.00 |
| Guardian’s Allowance (child 1) | £21.75 | £1,131.00 |
| Guardian’s Allowance (child 2) | £21.75 | £1,131.00 |
| Total | £86.80 | £4,513.60 |
How to Claim
Form BG1
Complete form BG1 (available from gov.uk) and send it to:
Guardian’s Allowance Child Benefit Office PO Box 1 Newcastle upon Tyne NE88 1AA
What You Need
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate(s) | Proof that parent(s) have died |
| Child’s birth certificate | Confirms the child’s identity and parentage |
| Your National Insurance number | Identifies your claim |
| Evidence of the surviving parent’s situation | If applicable (prison sentence letter, hospital order) |
Backdating
Guardian’s Allowance can be backdated up to 3 months from when HMRC receives your claim (same as Child Benefit).
Interaction With Other Benefits
Guardian’s Allowance is generous in how it interacts with other support:
| Benefit | Impact of Guardian’s Allowance |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Not counted as income |
| Housing Benefit | Not counted as income |
| Council Tax Reduction | Not counted as income |
| Income Support | Not counted as income |
| Tax Credits | Not counted as income |
| Income Tax | Not taxable |
This means you receive the full amount without any of it being clawed back through other means-tested benefits.
When Guardian’s Allowance Stops
| Event | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Child turns 16 (not in education) | Payment stops |
| Child turns 20 (in qualifying education) | Payment stops |
| Child leaves qualifying education | Payment stops at next terminal date |
| The surviving parent returns (prison release, found) | Contact HMRC — eligibility may be reassessed |
| You stop being the main carer | Payment stops |
| Child is adopted | Payment may stop depending on circumstances |
Kinship Carers and Guardian’s Allowance
If you’re caring for a child under a kinship arrangement (family and friends care), you may also qualify for:
| Support | In Addition to GA? |
|---|---|
| Child Benefit | Yes — required for GA |
| UC child element | Yes — for the child if on UC |
| Local authority kinship payments | Possibly — varies by council |
| Free school meals | If on qualifying benefit |
| Scottish Kinship Care Allowance | If in Scotland |