UK Guardian’s Allowance up to £22.95 from 6 April 2026

From Monday 6 April 2026, Guardian’s Allowance increases to £22.95 a week per child. This is set by the Treasury’s Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up‑rating Order 2026 and applies from the first Monday of the 2026–27 tax year. (legislation.gov.uk)

Think of Guardian’s Allowance as a small, regular, tax‑free top‑up for people bringing up someone else’s child after the death of both parents (with some exceptions when one parent is alive). It’s paid on top of Child Benefit and is not affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge or the benefit cap. GOV.UK currently shows the 2025–26 rate of £22.10 until the new tax year begins. (gov.uk)

Who can get it? You need to be responsible for the child and entitled to Child Benefit. Usually both parents must have died, but you can still qualify if the surviving parent is missing despite reasonable efforts to contact them, is serving a prison term of at least two years from the other parent’s date of death, or is detained in hospital by court order. In addition, at least one parent must have been born in the UK, an EEA country or Switzerland, or have lived in the UK for 52 weeks in any two‑year period since age 16. (gov.uk)

What exactly changes in April? The weekly Guardian’s Allowance moves from £22.10 to £22.95, a 3.8% increase. For context, Child Benefit also rises to £27.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for other children. These figures reflect the CPI measure used for the 2026–27 uprating approved by Parliament. (legislation.gov.uk)

If there’s a live question about whether you meet the conditions for the higher amount, HMRC will hold the increase until a formal decision is made under section 8 of the Social Security Act 1998 (or the Northern Ireland equivalent). HMRC can suspend or adjust payments where a related appeal or revision is pending, and will then correct the award once a decision is reached. (legislation.gov.uk)

Living abroad matters for uprating. If you were not ordinarily resident in the UK immediately before 6 April 2026, the law allows the ‘additional’ amount created by uprating to be withheld while you are abroad, even if a base entitlement continues depending on your situation. Similar provisions operate in Northern Ireland through its own Persons Abroad regulations. (legislation.gov.uk)

Scenario 1. You’re an aunt in Birmingham caring for your 8‑year‑old niece after both parents died, and you already receive Child Benefit. From 6 April you should see £22.95 a week added for that child. If HMRC is checking a point on your case, the higher amount will start only once a decision lands-keep your letters so any correction can be applied quickly.

Scenario 2. The surviving parent is serving a prison sentence of at least two years dating from the other parent’s death. You can still qualify for Guardian’s Allowance as long as you meet the other rules and you’re receiving Child Benefit for the child. (gov.uk)

Scenario 3. You moved to Spain in March and were not ordinarily resident in the UK on 6 April. Guardian’s Allowance may still be payable, but the April increase can be held back while you are abroad. If you later become ordinarily resident again, the uprated amount can apply from then. (legislation.gov.uk)

How to claim. Apply as soon as the child comes to live with you. Use form BG1 (Guardian’s Allowance) and follow the notes on evidence to send-this typically includes the child’s full birth certificate and the parents’ death certificates. If you need support, the Guardian’s Allowance Unit can guide you. (gov.uk)

Quick checks. The allowance is tax‑free, sits on top of Child Benefit and does not count as income for Universal Credit, Income Support, income‑based JSA or income‑related ESA. It also does not trigger the High Income Child Benefit Charge, so higher earners acting as guardians do not lose it. (gov.uk)

What this means for you. For budgeting, £22.95 a week works out at about £91.80 every four weeks if you choose that payment cycle. For paperwork, keep copies of birth and death certificates, any court orders, and your Child Benefit award. For appeals, note dates on every letter and ask for written reasons-clear timelines help if a tribunal hearing is needed later. (gov.uk)