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 for kinship carers
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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What is Universal Credit?
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 is replacing the following tax credits and benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
If you are already getting one or more of the above, you do not need to do anything unless your circumstances change, or you receive a ‘migration notice’ telling you that you must now claim Universal Credit. You will then have 3 months to move to Universal Credit to keep receiving your benefit.
If you or your partner claim Universal Credit, you will stop getting the benefits listed above. If you or your partner gets Pension Credit, this will also stop if one of you claims Universal Credit. It may be worth speaking to a specialist at Citizens Advice to see if you’d be better or worse off by claiming Universal Credit.
Who can get Universal Credit?
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:
- be a resident in the UK
- be over 18 but under State Pension age (in some situations you can claim Universal Credit if you’re 16 or 17)
- have money and savings of less than £16,000
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 or your partner has reached State Pension age
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.
If you are Disabled
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.
How much will I get?
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:
- you have children
- your children are disabled or severely disabled
- you are disabled or severely disabled
- you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week who receives a disability or health-related benefit
There is more information about how much you can get on GOV.UK’s website.
How your job can affect your payment
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.
Childcare costs and Universal Credit
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.
How to apply for Universal Credit
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.
Your claimant commitment
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.
Related advice and information
There are a number of benefits you may be eligible for if you, or someone you care for, is disabled or has a long-term illness.
Pension Credit is an extra amount paid by the government to top up your living costs if you’re on a low income and over State Pension age.
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