Care homes and benefits - Benefits for your children when you live in a care home

If you move into a care home permanently you can get Child Benefit even if your child lives elsewhere as long as you pay towards their maintenance and no one else claims Child Benefit for them. It may be better for the person who has your child living with them to claim Child Benefit. If this applies to you, it is important to get advice. You can use our Find an Adviser tool to find a local adviser.

If you are living permanently in a care home, you will not be able to get Child Tax Credit or the Child Element of Universal Credit for your children unless they live with you in the care home. The person who is looking after your child should claim Child Tax Credit or the Child Element of Universal Credit for them.

If you are staying in a care home temporarily, you can get Child Tax Credit or the Child Element of Universal Credit for a child who normally lives with you when you are at home. However, it may be better for someone else to claim Child Tax Credit or the Child Element of Universal Credit for your child when you are in a care home. Get advice if this applies to you. You can use our Find an Adviser tool to find a local adviser.

Reviewed November 2021