If you are raising a child whose parents have passed away, then you can claim a guardian allowance.

The UK government understands that bringing up a child is expensive. So to ensure they get the right upbringing after their parents pass away, they provide their guardians with an allowance. You can claim a guardian allowance in addition to the child benefit, and it’s completely tax-free.

In this blog, we will look at guardian allowance in detail and tell you why you should be claiming it. We will also provide you with the eligibility criteria set by the UK government. Lastly, you will be given a step-by-step guide so you can easily claim a guardian allowance. Read till the end so you don’t miss anything.

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What is Guardian Allowance?

Guardian allowance is a state benefit provided to legal guardians who are looking after a child under the age of 16. The payments are paid to the guardian on a weekly basis. The current guardian allowance rate in the UK is £20.40 per week, and it’s not taxed under your personal income. In addition, you can claim this on top of the child benefit. However, this policy varies from region to region, so if you are living in Wales, this may not apply.

Why Should You Claim Guardian Allowance?

The guardian allowance is accounted for weekly and paid every 4 weeks. However, it can be every week if you are a single parent. The money is easily transferred to any bank account, excluding a Nationwide Building Society account in someone else’s name. In addition, there are some more reasons why you should claim a guardian allowance:

• Reduce the overall costs of raising a child.
• Improve your financial situation to increase your income.
• Become eligible for other benefits, such as free school meals.
• Ensure that the child is brought up and becomes a valuable member of society.
• Reduce the financial pressure by having a consistent income.

Now that we know what guardian allowance is and why you, as a guardian, should apply for it, let’s look at the eligibility criteria.

Are You Eligible?

Guardian allowance, as the name suggests,  is only provided to legal guardians who are bringing up someone else’s child. In addition, the UK government categorises the requirements into two distinct methods. The first case is when both parents have passed away, and the other is when there is a surviving parent.

When Both Parents Have Passed Away:

The following are the requirements in case both of the child’s parents have passed away:

• You are taking care of their child
• The child’s parents are dead
• You must have already qualified for child benefit
• One of the deceased parents must have been born in UK, EEA or Switzerland
• The parent must have lived in the UK for 52 weeks in a 2-year period since the age of 16

When There is a Surviving Parent:

However, the condition changes if there is a surviving parent of the child and you are the guardian:

• You have no information about the whereabouts of the surviving parent
• The parents were divorced or separated, and there is no legal obligation on the surviving parent.
• The parents were unmarried and the mother died with the father unknown
• The surviving parent is serving a sentence of at least 2 years at the time of the partner’s death
• The surviving parent is hospitalised by court order

We at CruseBurke can help you apply for a guardian allowance. Get in touch now!

How to Claim Guardian Allowance in 5 Steps

Now let’s see how you can apply for and claim guardian allowance in 5 easy steps. These steps should be followed thoroughly, and if you have any questions, you should contact an expert. Let’s begin:

1. Check Your Eligbility

Before you start the process, it’s always better to see whether you qualify for the allowance. The eligibility criteria have been mentioned above in detail. Read it thoroughly to ensure that you fulfil all the requirements of a legal guardian before moving on to the next step.

2. Ensure You Have All the Documents

Next, it’s time to check what documents you will need while applying. You will need to carry out the research and may also have to contact the guardian’s allowance unit. Ensure that you have all the documents before you move on to the next step.

3. Complete a Claim Form

Now, it’s time to fill out a claim form. Make sure that you are using the information and details from verified documents, such as the government-issued ID. Do not misspell anything or write an inaccurate date.

4. Submit the Form

Now it’s time to submit your form. You can submit the form to the nearest guardian’s allowance unit. In addition, you can post it to the address mentioned on the firm. Remember that you will receive a confirmation letter once the claim is received by the authority.

5. Prepare for an Interview

This is not a necessary step, as the UK government does not carry out interviews for every application. Interviews are only done on a case-by-case basis. So if you feel that you will be doing an interview, start preparing for it.

If you are concerned about your claim, click here for an expert consultation session.

A Quick Summary

Guardian allowance is a weekly allowance paid over 4 weeks by the UK government. To be eligible, you must be taking care of someone else’s child. In addition, there are many other specific requirements that you must also fulfil.

Before starting the claim process, ensure that you are eligible and gather the required documents. Then you can fill out a form and post it to the address mentioned. But the form can also be submitted to a local representative. Lastly, get an expert opinion if you feel that your case might be weak.

We at CruseBurke provide you with the best legal expertise, not only on Guadrian’s allowance but also on many other financial matters. Click here to get an instant quote now!