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Children's Handbook Scotland | 2022/23

1. Child benefit and guardian’s allowance

If your child is in hospital, your child benefit – and guardian’s allowance if you get it – continues unaffected for 12 weeks.1s143(3)(b) and (4) SSCBA 1992; reg 10(1) CB Regs When counting the 12 weeks, two or more periods in hospital (and/or residential accommodation) separated by 28 days or less count as the same period.2s143(3) SSCBA 1992; reg 10(2) CB Regs After 12 weeks, your child benefit (and guardian’s allowance) continues, provided you spend money on your child’s behalf – eg, on clothing, pocket money, snacks and books.3s143(4) SSCBA 1992; para 06070 CBTM The amount of money you must spend is not stipulated. If you do not spend any money on your child’s behalf, your child benefit stops after 20 weeks in hospital.4s143(2) SSCBA 1992, 12 weeks’ ‘hospital’ absence plus eight weeks’ normal absence

 

1     s143(3)(b) and (4) SSCBA 1992; reg 10(1) CB Regs »

2     s143(3) SSCBA 1992; reg 10(2) CB Regs »

3     s143(4) SSCBA 1992; para 06070 CBTM »

4     s143(2) SSCBA 1992, 12 weeks’ ‘hospital’ absence plus eight weeks’ normal absence »