Everything you need to know about claiming Child Benefit as a kinship carer, including links to the latest government information.
Financial support and benefits for kinship carers
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.
This advice applies to: England and Wales
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We’re running a number of workshops on financial support and benefits for kinship carers, both in person and online. These are free to join and aimed at kinship carers living in England.
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When you may need financial support
When a child comes to live with you, there may be essential items that you need to pay for, such as a bed, stair gate, car seat or pushchair. You will also need to cover the cost of their day-to-day care, including paying for food, clothing, toys and items for school.
If you are caring for a young child, you may need to give up work or reduce your hours, which will mean you have less income. We often hear from kinship carers who have used retirement savings to help pay for the cost of caring for a child.
The financial pressure can be stressful for you and your family. That’s why it’s important that you ask for advice when you need it, so you can understand what support you can get, and which benefits you may be eligible to apply for.
Depending on your situation and type of kinship care arrangement, you may be able to get financial support, including benefits from the government.
Financial allowances for kinship carers – Kinship Zones pilot
From April 2026, the Department for Education is piloting a financial allowance for kinship carers in 7 local authorities in England, called Kinship Zones. The kinship allowance is the same as the fostering national minimum allowance (NMA) and is for some kinship carers with, or on their way to getting, a special guardianship order (SGO) or a ‘lives with’ child arrangements order (CAO).
The local authorities taking part in the pilot are:
- Bexley
- Bolton
- Newcastle
- North East Lincolnshire
- Medway
- Thurrock
- Wiltshire
Government benefits and support you may be eligible for
The type of support you can apply for will depend on your kinship care arrangement and you may also be able to apply for general government benefits. If you are a kinship foster carer, you cannot get the child element of Universal Credit or Child Benefit, or a Guardian’s Allowance.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of working age who are on a low income. You can be working, looking for work, sick or Disabled, or caring for a child or Disabled person.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid to anyone bringing up a child under 16 years of age or a young person under 20 years of age who is in approved education or training. Only 1 person can get child benefit and there is no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Pension Credit
If you are over State Pension age, you may be able to get Pension Credit. This is a payment that is separate to your State Pension. It gives you extra money to help pay for day-to-day living costs, including looking after a child if you are a kinship carer.
Guardian’s Allowance
If you are bringing up a child whose parents have died, you may be eligible to receive a Guardian’s Allowance. You may also be eligible if there is one surviving parent. Guardian’s Allowance is tax-free, and you can get it on top of any Child Benefit you receive.
Help with energy bills
There are a number of schemes available to provide financial support or discounts for paying for energy – for example, the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Fuel vouchers are more.
Tax credits ended on 5 April 2025. If you have been receiving tax credits, you will have been sent a letter to tell you to claim Universal Credit or Pension Credit instead, depending on your circumstances.
Financial support for carers and children with a disability or long-term illness
If you, or the child you care for, has a disability or a long-term illness, you may be able to get financial help. Depending on your situation, there are different allowances you can apply for that will help pay for living costs and the support you need.
Charity grants
Turn2us is a national charity that has an easy-to-use grant search that will match you with any grants you may be eligible for. These are grants that you do not need to pay back.
Money-saving tips
There are lots of ways to make your money go further. Below are our top money-saving tips – from eating out to trips to the cinema.
Food and restaurants
Too Good to Go: Every day, delicious, fresh food goes to waste at cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, and manufacturers – just because it hasn’t sold in time. The Too Good to Go app lets you buy and collect this food – at a great price – so it gets eaten instead of wasted. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up but that’s part of the fun!
Where to eat and drink for free: Martin Lewis, the money saving expert, has put together a big list of where you can eat and drink for free.
Find your local food bank: If you are struggling to put food on the table, your nearest food bank can help. You can find your nearest food bank, by typing your postcode in to Kinship Compass, our interactive tool that helps you discover what support is available to you, both locally and nationally.
Shopping
Online shopping deals and discounts: Martin Lewis, the money saving expert, has put together over 40 tips on how you can spot bargains online, compare prices at the click of a button and get discount codes from retailers.
Affordable household items: The Reuse Network has reuse centres nationwide that are stocked with high-quality, affordable household items such as furniture, electrical appliances, IT equipment, and more.
Free household items: Find free furniture, toys, electronics and more on websites such as Freecycle and Freegle.
School uniforms: School uniform grants are worth up to £150 per child. But how much you get, and if you qualify, does depend on where you live. However, it’s always worth checking if you’re eligible. If you live in England, it’s best to contact your local council to find out if there is support in your area.
Government guidance states that all schools make second-hand uniforms available and accessible for parents and carers. Before the new school year starts, you can also find discounted school uniforms at various supermarkets.
Entertainment
Your local library: Not only can you borrow books from your local library, but they often have regular activities such as storytelling sessions. Find your local library on GOV.UK.
Discounted cinema tickets: Vue, Odeon and Cineworld offer discounted cinema tickets for families. Vue’s Mighty Morning and Big Shorts offer an affordable way to watch a film, whilst Odeon offers an Adult and Child offer where the adult pays child ticket prices. Cineworld also has a Family Ticket offer where adults pay child ticket prices.
The Max Card: Get discounts at over 3000 venues across the UK, including Legoland, Alton Towers, Go Ape, Butlins and more with the Max Card.
Family Pass: Get discounts on thousands of days out and attractions with the Family Pass. From riding down the log flumes at your favourite theme park to braving a scary dungeon in the capital, they’ve got ideas for all the family.
The Kids Pass: For £1 for a 30-day trial or £3.99 a month, you can get discounts on theme parks, holidays, zoos, restaurants, cinema trips and days out with Kids Pass.
Kids for a Quid: Many train operators offer ‘Kids for a Quid’ train tickets, where children aged 5 to 15 can travel for just £1 or £2 when travelling with an adult during off-peak times.
Related advice and information
Information on help available with school costs, including who might get help with school uniform costs and free school meals.
Find out what help is available to help you cope with rising energy bills.
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