Fostering a child
You’ll get Child Benefit if you foster a child. However, the local council must not be paying anything towards their accommodation or maintenance.
Adopting a child
You can apply for Child Benefit as soon as any child you’re adopting comes to live with you – you don’t have to wait until the adoption process is complete. You might be able to get Child Benefit for a period before the adoption – contact the Child Benefit Office to enquire.
Looking after someone else’s child
You may be able to get Child Benefit if you’ve got an informal arrangement to look after a friend or relative’s child.
You might not qualify if your local council is paying towards the child’s accommodation or maintenance – contact the Child Benefit Office to enquire.
Two people cannot get Child Benefit for the same child – if you want to make a claim, you must agree with the person who’s currently claiming. HMRC will decide who receives the Child Benefit if you cannot agree.
You may also be entitled to Guardian’s Allowance if you’re responsible for a child who has lost one or both of their parents.
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