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Benefits when your child goes into care

Back to: Home > Benefits > Benefits for families with children > Benefits when your child goes into care

If you are a parent and your child is 'looked after' by a local authority after living with you, your benefits are affected. It is important to notify the different offices that pay you benefits or tax credits promptly about any changes - otherwise you may be overpaid and need to make repayments.

For example:

Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance can be affected straightaway, if they had included amounts for your child.
You may be entitled to less Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit in the following week, if it had been worked out with an allowance for your child.
The care component of Disability Living Allowance should stop after four weeks, although it may be claimed instead by a foster carer.
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit claims can be affected straight away.
Child Benefit usually stops after 8 weeks.
Child Benefit is not paid to foster parents who receive a fostering allowance.

Get advice if you are not sure what to do or if you are contacted about an overpayment.

Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email or book an appointment with the Online Adviser

Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email

Information Provider:

Manchester Advice

Date Written:

May 2005

This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.

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Benefits when your child goes into care