3. Benefits and tax credits if a child is not looked after

This section is for kinship carers of children who are not looked after by the local authority – ie, you have an informal arrangement.

When you become a kinship carer, you may have to make new claims for benefits, or the amounts you get may change. This section provides information about which benefits you may be able to claim, and how your existing entitlement to benefits and tax credits might be affected. For more detailed information about the entitlement rules for benefits and tax credits, see Chapter 1.

Delays in getting a benefit claim sorted out can cause difficulties. See Chapter 2 for what you can do if your benefit payments are delayed, including information on short-term advances, interim payments, crisis grants and complaints.