A tax-free allowance paid on top of Child Benefit to individuals who are bringing up a child whose parents have died (or in certain circumstances, one surviving parent).
Families & Children
£21.75 per week per child
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Tick off each condition below. You'll usually need to meet all of them to qualify.
Download and complete the Guardian's Allowance claim form (BG1) from GOV.UK.
Send the completed form alongside the child's full birth certificate and parents' death certificates to the HMRC Guardian's Allowance Unit.
Payments are deposited directly into your bank account every 4 weeks.
Guardian's Allowance is completely tax-free and ignored as income when applying for local council tax reductions, housing benefits, and local kinship care support allowances.
An allowance paid to parents or guardians responsible for raising a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training).
View guide Carers & FamiliesFinancial support if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week who receives a qualifying disability benefit.
View guide Housing & Local SupportA local discount that reduces your Council Tax bill if you are on a low income, claiming benefits, or live alone.
View guide