Guardian’s Allowance rate rise – does it affect other benefit claims?

Guardian’s Allowance is a benefit provided to those who are bringing up a child whose parents have died. It is a benefit which supports those who may unexpectedly become guardians, and provides help with the cost of living. The child must be in full-time education or approved training for the guardian to be entitled.

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The government has recently announced the rate of Guardian’s Allowance has been increase by 1.7 percent.

This is in line with the new tax year, and the increase is in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the working-age benefit freeze implemented in 2015/16, would now be lifted.

Guardian’s Allowance has therefore been uprated, meaning as a result guardians receive more monetary support. 

The allowance stands at £17.90 a week, and it is tax-free.

It can also be backdated for up to three months, so people are urged to apply as soon as possible.

However, the benefit can also be received in conjunction with Child Benefit. 

The Child Benefit rate has also been increased this tax year.

In a similar way to Guardian’s Allowance, the amount has risen by 1.7 percent in line with CPI.

Those who are entitled to Child Benefit can claim £21.05 per week for the eldest or only child.

This figure reduces to £13.95 per week for any additional children. 

Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday.

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This means per week, for the eldest or only child a guardian claiming both Guardian’s Allowance and Child Benefit could be entitled to £38.95.

For any additional children the combined benefits would stand at £31.85 per week.

However, the Guardian’s Allowance is not affected by the High Income Child Benefit charge.

Therefore, those who earn over the £60,000 threshold are still entitled to Guardian’s Allowance, even if choosing not to be paid Child Benefit. 

Guardian’s Allowance is paid into a bank account every four weeks.

It does not count towards the benefit cap – the total amount of benefits one person can receive, although Child Benefit does. 

Britons have also been advised to check the date they are due to receive Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance because of the Easter Bank Holiday.

As Child Benefit is usually paid on a Monday, those who were due to receive payment on April 13, can expect to see the money in their account earlier on April 9.

This is because Thursday, April 9 is the last working day before the long bank holiday weekend. 

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