
Stepping up to raise a child can be expensive, and money worries are common for kinship carers. Find out what financial support and benefits are available to you.
Universal Credit is a payment by the Government to help cover your living costs if you’re of working age.
This advice applies to: England and Wales
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Universal Credit is a payment for people of working age to help with the cost of living if you’re not working or on a low income. The amount you get will depend on your overall household income.
Universal Credit replaced the following tax credits and benefits on 5 April 2025:
Many people of working age are eligible to claim Universal Credit if they are in work, are out of work or on a low income.
You should also:
If you live with a partner, you claim Universal Credit for your household. If you or your partner are getting any benefits that Universal Credit replaces, these may stop once one of you claims Universal Credit.
If you are in a couple, and only one of you is of pension age, you can still claim Universal Credit. Your Universal Credit claim will stop when you both reach State Pension age.
If one of you is getting Pension Credit, it will stop if you make a claim for Universal Credit. You’ll usually be better off staying on Pension Credit. Use a benefits calculator to check what your best option is.
You could get an additional payment of Universal Credit to cover your extra living costs if you are disabled. You are also entitled to claim other benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance, which will not affect Universal Credit payments.
If you are currently receiving a disability premium (an extra amount of money added to your benefits because you are disabled), you may be able to get ‘transitional protection’ when you move over to Universal Credit. You may receive this automatically, but some people will need to apply.
Find out more about health conditions, disability and Universal Credit on GOV.UK.
Universal Credit can be claimed by a range of people in different circumstances. Therefore, there are a number of rates you could receive, depending on your situation.
Your Universal Credit claim is calculated monthly and is known as your monthly assessment period. The amount you get may change if your circumstances change during each month, such as how much you earn.
You will receive a standard monthly allowance for your household. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive extra amounts if:
There is more information about how much you can get on GOV.UK’s website.
If you have a paid job, particular rules apply to your Universal Credit payment. If your earnings vary month to month, your Universal Credit allowance and the amount you get paid could change too.
Using a benefits calculator can help you to see how your earnings could affect the benefits you receive.
You could get help with your childcare costs if you are on a low income or claim Universal Credit. If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you can claim up to 85% of your childcare costs. You or your partner normally need to be working to qualify.
You can apply for Universal Credit online at GOV.UK but you will also need to set up a Universal Credit account.
If you can’t apply online, you can call the free Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, or 0800 328 1744 if you speak Welsh.
When you claim Universal Credit, it brings with it a set of responsibilities that relate to finding work. Your commitment depends on your personal circumstances and the age of the children you are caring for as a kinship carer.
If you have taken on a relative’s or friend’s child as a kinship carer, you will not have to look for work for the first twelve months, whatever the child’s age. You will only have to attend work-focused interviews.
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