What you can get depends on the arrangement. A child placed with you by the council can bring fostering allowances. An informal family arrangement still lets you claim the benefits parents get.
Quick facts
- Benefits
- Child Benefit and other parents' benefits
- Also check
- Guardian's Allowance
- Council
- Must publish its kinship support
- Private fostering
- Tell the council
- Long term
- Special guardianship or child arrangements order
Which kind of arrangement you have
You’re known as a kinship carer if you’re a close relative or family friend looking after a child more than their parents.
You’re a private foster carer if you’re not a close relative and you’re looking after a child who’s under 16 (under 18 if they’re disabled) for more than 28 days in a row. You must tell your local council about this arrangement.
Money you can claim
You can apply for Child Benefit and other benefits that parents get. See Child Benefit and Universal Credit.
If the child's parents have died, you may also get Guardian's Allowance on top of Child Benefit.
Ask the council what it offers
Check what services and financial support your local council provides. They must provide information on the support they offer to kinship carers and private fosterers.
Getting parental responsibility
If you want to care for a child long term, you can get parental responsibility for the child by applying for a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
Having parental responsibility means you can choose the child’s school, agree to their medical treatment, look after their finances and apply for a passport for them.
A child who has left care under one of these orders can also get 15 free childcare hours at age 2: see free childcare in England.
Children with extra needs
You can get help if you’re looking after a disabled child, such as DLA for children. You can get extra help at school for a child with special educational needs (SEN).
Common questions
Can grandparents get Child Benefit?
Yes. If the child lives with you, you can apply for Child Benefit and other benefits that parents get.
Do I have to tell the council?
If you are not a close relative and look after a child under 16 for more than 28 days in a row, yes. You must tell your local council.
What is a special guardianship order?
A court order that gives you parental responsibility so you can care for the child long term.
Does the council have to help?
They must provide information on the support they offer to kinship carers and private fosterers.