Guardian's Allowance - Can I get Guardian's Allowance?

You can claim Guardian's Allowance if you look after a child who is not your own (biologically or by adoption), and their parents have either both died or one has died and the other is unable to look after them, for example, because they are missing or are in prison.

You can only get Guardian's Allowance if you (or your partner) also get Child Benefit for the child. See our Child Benefit guide for more information on Child Benefit.

One of the child's parents must also have been born in the UK (or was living in the UK since the age of 16 for at least 52 weeks in any 2-year period)

High Income Child Benefit charge

If you (or your partner) have an individual annual income of over £60,000 you will have to pay an income tax charge if you get Child Benefit. This is called the ‘High Income Child Benefit charge’.  If you elect not to be paid your entitlement to Child Benefit to avoid the charge, you can still qualify for Guardians Allowance.

Read our Child Benefit information guide for more details on the ‘High Income Child Benefit charge’.