Allowances

Kinship Allowances

At the point of a kinship carer being asked to care for a looked after child and the child moving to reside in their care West Lothian Council will initiate a  kinship payment and an assessment of the kinship carer. 

Kinship allowances may be available to:

• Formal kinship carers where the child has a looked after status 
• Some informal kinship carers, where the child is not a looked after child but is subject to a Section 11 Order to reside with the kinship carer, and is or was previously looked after or currently at risk of being looked after.

Kinship Allowances 2024/2025

The rate table shows the allowance before any deductions for Child Benefit/Child Tax Credit/Universals Credit are made. 

Kinship allowances are subject to assessment and all  carers, where children are placed via formal looked after procedures, will be subject to a formal kinship assessment to identify what supports may be necessary. 

Kinship allowances are reviewed on an annual basis. An annual declaration form will be sent for your completion - failure to complete and return the form could result in the suspension of allowances.

Kinship carers in receipt of allowances must notify us if:

• The child does not live with you anymore 
• The child leaves school or full time education
• Your address, contact number or email address changes 
• You change your bank account 
• You are in receipt of child tax credits/universal credit (child element)

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