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Children's Handbook Scotland | 2022/23

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 – eg, you have an informal arrangement or you have a kinship care order.
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.
Child benefit and guardian’s allowance
Child benefit
When a child joins your household, someone else may already be claiming child benefit for her/him. There are rules that determine whose claim takes priority if there are competing claims.1Sch 10 SSCBA 1992 The person with whom the child lives normally has priority, and this means you should get child benefit if you are the kinship carer for a non-looked-after child. However, if someone else is getting child benefit for the child when you make your claim, s/he will retain priority over you for three weeks after you make your claim.2Sch 10(1) and (2) SSCBA 1992 This means that you will not normally become entitled to child benefit until three weeks after the week in which you claim (for child benefit purposes, a week starts on a Monday3s147 SSCBA 1992). The only exception to this rule is if the other person gives up her/his entitlement at an earlier date.4Sch 10 SSCBA 1992; reg 15 CB Regs
Example
Kitty starts caring full time for her grandson, Daniel, on 9 August 2021. Before this, Daniel was living with his mum, Louise, but she is no longer able to look after him. Kitty claims child benefit for Daniel on 20 August 2021, but because Louise is still getting child benefit and does not give up her entitlement, Kitty does not become entitled until Monday 13 September 2021.
Even if your claim has priority, you cannot receive child benefit for a period when it has already been paid to someone else for the same child, unless:5s13(2) SSAA 1992; reg 38 CB Regs
    HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) or, if the decision has been made following an appeal, the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal, has decided that the child benefit paid is recoverable because the person has failed to disclose or has misrepresented a ‘material fact’ and no appeal against that decision has been made within the time limit; or
    even though HMRC decided the benefit was not recoverable or has not made a decision on its recoverablity, the money has been repaid.
Once you are getting child benefit for a child, you can keep getting it during a period when the child is living temporarily away from you, provided that period is not for more than eight weeks out of the last 16.6s143(2) SSCBA 1992
 
The effect of local authority payments
Child benefit is not affected by any payment you receive from the local authority.
 
1     Sch 10 SSCBA 1992 »
2     Sch 10(1) and (2) SSCBA 1992 »
3     s147 SSCBA 1992 »
4     Sch 10 SSCBA 1992; reg 15 CB Regs »
5     s13(2) SSAA 1992; reg 38 CB Regs »
6     s143(2) SSCBA 1992 »
Guardian’s allowance
You can get guardian’s allowance if you satisfy the rules on here. Guardian’s allowance is not affected by any payment you receive from the local authority.
Universal credit
If you are getting universal credit (UC), a child element should be included in your UC award for a non-looked-after child you care for, as long as you are treated as being responsible for the child. You are responsible for the child if s/he normally lives with you.1Reg 4(2) UC Regs You do not have to be getting child benefit for the child.
A ‘two-child limit’ was introduced on 6 April 2017 (see here). Non-looked-after children in kinship care are exempt from the two-child limit if:2Sch 12 para 4 UC Regs
    you have a kinship care order under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995; or
    you are appointed as guardian under section 7 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995; or
    you are entitled to guardian’s allowance in respect of the child/children; or
    one of the above bullet points applied prior to the child’s 16th birthday and you have continued to be responsible for the child; or
    you have undertaken care of the child/children where it is likely that otherwise s/he would have been looked after by the local authority.
This means that even if you already have two or more dependent children and you start caring for a child, who was born on or after 6 April 2017, in one of these circumstances, you can get the child element in your UC for the child who has come to live with you, providing you satisfy the normal conditions of entitlement. If you give birth to a child after taking on the care of a child or children in one of these circumstances, a child in kinship care is ‘disregarded’ when applying the two-child limit.3Regs 24A(1)(za) and 24B(2A) UC Regs
Example
Jen and Gavin have one child already when they take on the care of their niece and nephew for whom they have kinship care orders. They can get UC for all three children. Two years later, they have another baby and they are able to get UC for the baby as well because the two ‘kinship’ children are disregarded for the purposes of the ‘two-child limit.’ If they later have a third baby, this child will be subject to the two-child limit.
The amount of the housing costs element for rent you get in your UC reflects the number of bedrooms you need, including for any ‘kinship’ child. Your work allowance should reflect the fact you have a dependent child (see here). If you are working, you may be entitled to help with childcare costs (see here). If you become a ‘friend or family carer’ (see below) of a child under 16 and you are the ‘responsible carer’ (see below), you are subject to the ‘work-focused interview requirement’ (see here) only for the first 12 months (unless the child is aged under one, in which case the responsible carer has no work-related requirements).4s19(2)(c) WRA 2012; reg 91(2)(e) UC Regs
‘Friend or family carer’ means you are responsible for a child under 16 but are not her/his parent or step-parent. You must be taking care of the child because:5Reg 91(3) UC Regs
    s/he has no parent, or has parents who are unable to care for her/him; or
    it is likely that s/he would otherwise be looked after by the local authority.
‘Responsible carer’ means you are a lone parent or, if you are in a couple, you and your partner have nominated you as responsible for the child. Only one of you can be nominated and the nomination applies to all your children.6s19(6) WRA 2012; reg 86 UC Regs
Local authority payments are disregarded as income for UC.7Reg 66 UC Regs
 
1     Reg 4(2) UC Regs »
2     Sch 12 para 4 UC Regs »
3     Regs 24A(1)(za) and 24B(2A) UC Regs »
4     s19(2)(c) WRA 2012; reg 91(2)(e) UC Regs »
5     Reg 91(3) UC Regs »
6     s19(6) WRA 2012; reg 86 UC Regs »
7     Reg 66 UC Regs »
Income support
Note: if you are not already getting income support (IS), you will not be able to claim it because of the introduction of UC.
 
Getting income support as a lone parent
If you are a lone parent with at least one child aged under five you can get IS, provided you satisfy the other rules (see here). The child must be a member of your household, meaning that you are ‘responsible for the child’.1Reg 16 and Sch 1B para 1 IS Regs You are treated as responsible for a child if:2Reg 15 IS Regs
    you get child benefit for her/him; or
    no one gets child benefit for her/him and s/he usually lives with you, or you are the only person who has claimed child benefit for her/him.
Note: you do not have to be the child’s parent to count as a lone parent for IS.
If there is a delay in transferring child benefit to you so that you cannot count as a lone parent, you may still be eligible for IS in the meantime if the reason you are caring for the child is because her/his parent is temporarily ill or away from home.3Sch 1B para 3 IS Regs; R(IS) 11/08
 
Getting income support as a carer
If you care for a disabled person, you may be able to get IS, provided you satisfy the other rules (see Chapter 1). This applies if the child (or other person for whom you care) is getting disability living allowance (DLA) or child disability payment (CDP) care component at the middle or highest rate or personal independence payment (PIP) daily living component (if s/he is aged 16 or over) and you are getting carer’s allowance (CA), or you are ‘regularly and substantially’ engaged in caring for her/him. It can also apply after a claim for DLA/CDP/PIP has been made for a period of up to 26 weeks or until the decision is made, whichever is the earlier date. See here for how this rule works.
 
Getting income support on other grounds
There are other groups who can get IS (see here).
 
The effect of local authority payments
If you are not receiving amounts in your IS for a child, Section 50 payments are disregarded as income for IS.4Sch 9 para 25(1)(ba) IS Regs If you are still receiving amounts in your IS for a child and you are not receiving child tax credit (CTC), Section 50 payments count as income up to the amount equal to the child’s personal allowance and any disabled child premium for the child concerned. The amount of any payment above this level is ignored.5Sch 9 para 25 IS Regs, unamended by SS(WTCCTC)(CA) Regs for claimants still receiving amounts for children in IS This is now extremely unusual, but if you are in this situation, you may be better off claiming UC. Seek advice about this as soon as possible.
Section 22 payments are disregarded as income for IS.6Sch 9 para 28(1)(c) IS Regs
 
1     Reg 16 and Sch 1B para 1 IS Regs »
2     Reg 15 IS Regs »
3     Sch 1B para 3 IS Regs; R(IS) 11/08 »
4     Sch 9 para 25(1)(ba) IS Regs »
5     Sch 9 para 25 IS Regs, unamended by SS(WTCCTC)(CA) Regs for claimants still receiving amounts for children in IS »
6     Sch 9 para 28(1)(c) IS Regs »
Income-related employment and support allowance
If you are already getting income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), it is not normally affected when you become a kinship carer. However, if you claim UC in order to get support for the child, your income-related ESA will stop.
 
The effect of local authority payments
Local authority payments are disregarded as income for income-related ESA.1s50 Sch 8 para 26(1)(b) ESA Regs
s22 Sch 8 para 30(1)(c) ESA Regs
Contributory ESA is not affected by local authority payments as it is not a means-tested benefit.
 
1     s50 Sch 8 para 26(1)(b) ESA Regs
s22 Sch 8 para 30(1)(c) ESA Regs
 »
Jobseeker’s allowance
Note: if you are not already getting income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), you will not be able to claim it because of the introduction of UC.
When a child joins your household, your JSA is not normally affected. However, if you claim UC in order to get support for the child, your income-based JSA will stop.
 
The effect of local authority payments
If you are not receiving amounts in your income-based JSA for a child, Section 50 payments are disregarded as income.1Sch 7 para 26(1)(ba) JSA Regs If you are still receiving amounts in your income-based JSA for a child and you are not receiving CTC, Section 50 payments count as income up to the amount equal to the personal allowance and any disabled child premium for the child concerned. The amount of any payment above this level is ignored.2Sch 7 para 26 JSA Regs, unamended by SS(WTCCTC)(CA) Regs for claimants still receiving amounts for children in JSA This is now extremely unusual, but if you are in this situation, you are probably better off claiming UC instead. Seek advice as soon as possible.
Section 22 payments are disregarded as income.3Sch 7 para 29(1)(c) JSA Regs
Contribution-based JSA is not means tested and is not affected by any payments you get from the local authority.
 
1     Sch 7 para 26(1)(ba) JSA Regs »
2     Sch 7 para 26 JSA Regs, unamended by SS(WTCCTC)(CA) Regs for claimants still receiving amounts for children in JSA »
3     Sch 7 para 29(1)(c) JSA Regs »
Pension credit
Some pension credit (PC) claimants who are responsible for a non-looked-after child or qualifying young person get an additional amount for the child(ren) in their PC (instead of CTC).1Sch 2A para 3 SPC Regs You are responsible for the child if s/he normally lives with you. You do not have to be getting child benefit for the child. If you are getting child benefit for the child, it is not taken into account as income for PC.2s15 SPCA 2002; reg 15(1)(j) SPC Regs If a child comes to lives you, the increase in your PC applicable amount can sometimes mean that you become entitled to PC when you were not previously entitled.
 
The effect of local authority payments
Local authority payments are disregarded as income for PC.3s15 SPCA 2002; reg 15 SPC Regs
 
1     Sch 2A para 3 SPC Regs »
2     s15 SPCA 2002; reg 15(1)(j) SPC Regs »
3     s15 SPCA 2002; reg 15 SPC Regs »
Housing benefit and council tax reduction
Being a kinship carer can change the amount of housing benefit (HB) and council tax reduction (CTR) you get, or can mean you become entitled to HB/CTR, although you are very likely to have to claim UC instead of HB if you are under pension age and are not already getting HB. Your entitlement to HB/CTR might change for the following reasons.
    Being responsible for a non-looked-after child increases your applicable amount (see here). This is the figure used to calculate how much HB/CTR you get. For a child to count as your dependant, s/he must be ‘normally living’ with you.1HB Reg 20(1) HB Regs; reg 20(1) HB(SPC) Regs
    CTR Reg 10(1) CTR(S) Regs; reg 10(1) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
    This means s/he spends more time with you than with anyone else.2CFC/1537/1995 If it is unclear in whose household the child normally lives, or if s/he spends equal time in more than one household, you are treated as having responsibility if:3HB Reg 20(2) HB Regs; reg 20(2) HB(SPC) Regs
    CTR Reg 10(2) CTR(S) Regs; reg 10(2) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
      you get child benefit for the child; or
      no one gets child benefit but you have claimed it; or
      no one has claimed child benefit, or more than one person has claimed it but you appear to have most responsibility.
    If your HB is calculated on the basis of a ‘local housing allowance’ (this only affects tenants in the private rented sector – see here), the local housing allowance that applies to you may change because you require more rooms. Your HB entitlement may increase as a result.
    If you are under pension age and living in the social rented sector, any deduction you have to your HB because you are considered to be under-occupying your accommodation might be affected by a non-looked-after child joining your household. If you have had an under-occupation deduction applied to your HB but you are no longer treated as under-occupying, this deduction should stop. See here for more details.
 
The effect of local authority payments
Section 22 payments and Section 50 payments are disregarded in full.4HB Sch 5 paras 25(1)(ba) and 28 HB Regs; reg 29(1) HB(SPC) Regs
CTR Sch 4 paras 29(1)(b) and 32 CTR(S) Regs; reg 27(1) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
 
1     HB Reg 20(1) HB Regs; reg 20(1) HB(SPC) Regs
CTR Reg 10(1) CTR(S) Regs; reg 10(1) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
 »
2     CFC/1537/1995 »
3     HB Reg 20(2) HB Regs; reg 20(2) HB(SPC) Regs
CTR Reg 10(2) CTR(S) Regs; reg 10(2) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
 »
4     HB Sch 5 paras 25(1)(ba) and 28 HB Regs; reg 29(1) HB(SPC) Regs
CTR Sch 4 paras 29(1)(b) and 32 CTR(S) Regs; reg 27(1) CTR(SPC)(S) Regs
 »
Scottish child payment
You can get Scottish child payment for a non-looked after child if you satisfy the normal conditions of entitlement, including being responsible for the child (see here).
Disability living allowance, child disability payment, personal independence payment and attendance allowance
 
Disability living allowance and child disability payment
When a child under 16 gets DLA, the DWP appoints an adult to act on the child’s behalf. This adult receives DLA payments on behalf of the child. The appointee is normally the person with whom the child lives.1Reg 43(2) SS(C&P) Regs
If, when you start to look after a child as a kinship carer, s/he is already getting DLA, you can apply to become the appointee. Write to the Disability Benefit Centre (see Appendix 1), giving the child’s name, date of birth and reference number if you have it (you will find it on any letters from the Disability Benefit Centre about the DLA). Also provide your details (name, address, date of birth and national insurance number) and explain the circumstances. For example, you may wish to explain that the arrangement is expected to be permanent, or long term, that you have claimed or are in receipt of child benefit for the child, and the circumstances which led to the child living with you.
If there is disagreement about who should be a child’s appointee for DLA, the DWP decides. There is no right of appeal against this decision,2Sch 2 para 5(y) SS&CS(DA) Regs but you could complain if you are unhappy with the outcome (see here).
If the child you are caring for is already getting CDP, you can apply to Social Security Scotland (SSS) (see Appendix 1) to become the appointee. If you have parental rights/responsbilities for the child you will not need to be formally ‘appointed’ by SSS.3s85A SS(S)A 2018
If you are already looking after a child as a kinship carer, and you think s/he may be entitled to DLA or CDP, you can make the claim on her/his behalf. See Chapters 1 and 2 for more information and how to claim. If the child/young person you care for is aged 16 or over, and not already getting DLA or CDP, s/he can make a claim for PIP.
 
Disability living allowance, personal independence payment and attendance allowance for adults
Being a kinship carer does not affect your own entitlement to DLA, PIP or attendance allowance (AA).
 
The effect of local authority payments
DLA, CDP, PIP and AA are not means tested and therefore local authority payments do not affect the amount of benefit you receive, either for yourself or for the child.
 
1     Reg 43(2) SS(C&P) Regs »
2     Sch 2 para 5(y) SS&CS(DA) Regs »
3     s85A SS(S)A 2018 »
Carer’s allowance
If you are already entitled to CA (eg, because you are caring for an elderly relative), becoming a kinship carer does not affect your entitlement, unless you no longer satisfy the conditions of entitlement – eg, because you are no longer able to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for the disabled person.
If the child for whom you care gets the DLA or CDP care component at the middle or highest rate or PIP daily living component, you may be able to claim CA in respect of her/him if you satisfy the normal conditions of entitlement (see here). Only one person can claim CA for a particular disabled person. If there is more than one person who could be entitled, you can agree who will claim. If agreement is not possible, the DWP decides. There is no right of appeal against this decision.1s70(7) SSCBA 1992; reg 7 SS(ICA) Regs; Sch 2 para 3 SSA 1998
 
The effect of local authority payments
CA is not means tested and therefore local authority payments do not affect the amount of CA you receive.
 
1     s70(7) SSCBA 1992; reg 7 SS(ICA) Regs; Sch 2 para 3 SSA 1998 »
Child tax credit
Note: if you are not already getting tax credits, you cannot make a new claim because of the introduction of UC. However, if you are entitled to one type of tax credit (either CTC or working tax credit (WTC)), you can add the other type to it. For example, if you are getting just WTC, you can start getting CTC. You can also renew your claim for tax credits at the end of the tax year.
You may already be getting CTC when you become a kinship carer – eg, if you already have a child. If you are already getting CTC, starting to care for a non-looked-after child may increase the amount of CTC to which you are entitled.
To get CTC, you must have at least one child for whom you are responsible.1s8(2) TCA 2002 You are treated as responsible for a child if:2Reg 3(1) rr1 and 2 CTC Regs
    s/he normally lives with you; or
    you have the main responsibility for her/him. This only applies if there are competing claims for CTC for the same child.
From 6 April 2017, a ‘two-child limit’ applies to child elements in CTC (see here). Non-looked-after children in kinship care are exempt from the ‘two-child limit’ if:3Regs 7(2A), 9 and 12 CTC Regs
    you have a kinship care order under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995; or
    you are appointed as guardian under section 7 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995; or
    you are entitled to guardian’s allowance in respect of the child/children; or
    one of the above bullet points applied prior to the child’s 16th birthday and you have continued to be responsible for the child; or
    you have undertaken care of the child/children where it is likely that otherwise s/he would have been looked after by the local authority.
This means that even if you already have two or more dependent children and you start caring for a child born on or after 6 April 2017 in one of these circumstances, you can get the child element in your CTC for the child who has come to live with you, providing you satisfy the normal conditions of entitlement.
If you give birth to a child after taking on the care of a child or children in one of these circumstances, a child in kinship care is ‘disregarded’ when applying the two-child limit.4Reg 9 CTC Regs
Only one person (or one couple making a joint claim) can get tax credits for a particular child.5Reg 3(1) r2.2 CTC Regs You should get tax credits if the child ‘normally lives with you’. HMRC says this means that the child ‘regularly, usually, typically’ lives with you.6para 02202 TCTM You do not have to be getting child benefit for the child.
If a child is living with you full time and the arrangement is reasonably settled, it is very likely that HMRC will decide the child ‘normally lives with you’. This means that if someone else has been getting tax credits for the child, her/his payments will stop. If s/he has continued to get tax credits during a period when, in fact, the child has been normally living with you, HMRC may decide s/he has been overpaid and could apply a penalty to her/him if s/he failed to report the change within one month.
If a child normally lives in more than one household (eg, s/he shares her/his time between two different households), there may be more than one potential tax credits claimant. You and any other potential claimant/s can decide between yourselves who should make the claim. If you cannot agree, HMRC decides whose claim should take priority by deciding who has the ’main responsibility’ for the child.7Reg 3(1) r2.2 CTC Regs HMRC is likely to take account of:8para 02204 TCTM
    whether there is a court order which states where the child should live or who should care for her/him. This is not binding on HMRC: it should consider the factual care arrangements as well as the terms of any court order;9GJ v HMRC (TC) [2013] UKUT 561 (AAC)
    how many days a week the child lives in the different households;
    who pays for the child’s food and clothes;
    where the child’s belongings are kept;
    who is the main contact for nursery, school or childcare;
    who does the child’s laundry;
    who looks after the child when s/he is ill and takes her/him to the doctor.
If you disagree with HMRC’s decision (eg, it decides you cannot get CTC because another person has the main responsibility for the child), you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration and then appeal against it (see here).
If a child stops living with you, tell HMRC as soon as possible to avoid being overpaid and within one month to avoid a possible penalty.
 
1     s8(2) TCA 2002 »
2     Reg 3(1) rr1 and 2 CTC Regs »
3     Regs 7(2A), 9 and 12 CTC Regs »
4     Reg 9 CTC Regs »
5     Reg 3(1) r2.2 CTC Regs »
6     para 02202 TCTM »
7     Reg 3(1) r2.2 CTC Regs »
8     para 02204 TCTM »
9     GJ v HMRC (TC) [2013] UKUT 561 (AAC) »
Working tax credit
Note: if you are not already getting tax credits, you cannot make a new claim because of the introduction of UC. However, if you are entitled to one type of tax credit (either CTC or WTC), you can add the other type to it. For example, if you are getting just WTC, you can start getting CTC. You can also renew your claim for tax credits at the end of the tax year.
You may already be getting WTC when you become a kinship carer – eg, you or your partner are in low-paid work. To get WTC you, or your partner (if you have one), must be in paid work.1Reg 4 WTC(EMR) Regs
If you are single and responsible for at least one dependent child (see here), paid work means at least 16 hours a week. If you are a couple, see here for what paid work means. If, as a result of becoming a kinship carer, you pay a childminder, nursery or other childcare provider, you may become entitled to an increased amount of WTC (see Chapter 1).
 
1     Reg 4 WTC(EMR) Regs »
The effect of local authority payments
Any payments you get from the local authority should not affect your tax credit entitlement. They should be disregarded as income.1HMRC email to CPAG, 22 April 2009, and because they are not defined as income under reg 3 TC(DCI) Regs. If this does not happen, and you lose out financially as a result, seek advice.
 
1     HMRC email to CPAG, 22 April 2009, and because they are not defined as income under reg 3 TC(DCI) Regs. »
Scottish Welfare Fund payments
As a kinship carer, you may have expenses which could be met by a Scottish Welfare Fund payment – eg, to buy a new bed and bedding for the child. See here for who can qualify.
If you are not able to get a Scottish Welfare Fund payment, ask the social work department if it can help you with the extra expenses you have.
Best Start grant
There are three payments which make up the Best Start grant: a pregnancy and baby payment, an early learning payment and a school-age payment. If you are a kinship carer, you may be able to get one, two or all of these payments depending on the age of the child when s/he comes to live with you.
 
Pregnancy and baby payment
If you are a kinship carer of a child aged under one, you may be able to get a Best Start grant pregnancy and baby payment of £606 (or £303 if you have another child aged under 16 in your household). You must be responsible for the child (see here) and usually you must get a qualifying benefit (see here).1Sch 2 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs You must claim before the child’s first birthday. You may be able to get a pregnancy and baby payment even though someone else (eg, the child’s mother or father) has already received a payment for the child (before you became responsible for the child).2Sch 2 para 3 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs
 
Early learning payment
If you are a kinship carer of a child aged between two and three and a half, you may be able to get a Best Start grant early learning payment of £252.50. You must be responsible for the child (see here) and usually you must get a qualifying benefit (see here). You must claim while the child is between two and three and a half.3Sch 3 para 1(b) EYA(BSG)(S) Regs You may be able to get an early learning payment even though someone else (eg, the child’s mother or father) has already received a payment for the child (before you came responsible for the child).4Sch 3 para 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs
 
School-age payment
If you are a kinship carer of a child who is around the age to start school, you may be able to get a school-age payment of £252.50. You must be responsible for the child (see here) and usually you must get a qualifying benefit (see here).5Sch 4 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs
If the child’s date of birth is between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017 (inclusive), you must claim between 1 June 2021 and 28 February 2022. If the child’s date of birth is between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 (inclusive), you must claim between 1 June 2022 and 28 February 2023.6Sch 4 para 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs
You may be able to get a school-age payment even though someone else (eg, the child’s mother or father) has already received a payment for the child (before you became responsible for the child).7Sch 4 para 3 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs
 
1     Sch 2 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
2     Sch 2 para 3 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
3     Sch 3 para 1(b) EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
4     Sch 3 para 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
5     Sch 4 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
6     Sch 4 para 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
7     Sch 4 para 3 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »
Health benefits
Becoming a kinship carer may mean that you become entitled to health benefits. For example, entitlement to CTC and having an income below a specified level means you are ‘passported’ to certain health benefits. If you are caring for a child aged under three, you may be entitled to help through the Best Start food payment card. For more information about health benefits, see here.
Children are automatically entitled to free dental treatment and vouchers for glasses.