Guardian's Allowance (GA)

Guardian’s Allowance is a benefit paid by HM Revenue and Customs to people looking after a child who is, in effect, an orphan. Your entitlement is not affected by your income, savings or capital, and you do not have to have paid national insurance contributions.

Who can claim?   

You qualify if the following apply:

• You are entitled to Child Benefit for the child. 
• The child is an orphan, or one of her/his parents has died and all reasonable efforts to trace the other parent have been unsuccessful, or s/he is in prison or detained in hospital.

How much do you get?

£17.90 a week (2020/21)

How do you claim?

Claim on form BG1, available from the HM Revenue and Customs Guardian’s Allowance Unit on 0300 322 9080, or from www.gov.uk/guardians-allowance.