People in Wiltshire who are looking after someone else’s child are being urged to check whether they could receive weekly financial support of up to £267.
Wiltshire Council has launched a campaign to raise awareness of payments available to eligible kinship carers, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, other relatives and close family friends who have taken on the care of a child because their parents cannot.
Eligible carers can receive a non-means-tested weekly allowance of between £176 and £267, depending on the age of the child. The payments are available through the Kinship Zones pilot, with Wiltshire one of seven local authorities selected by the Department for Education to take part.
The council says many people caring for children in these circumstances may not think of themselves as kinship carers and therefore may not realise that financial help is available.
One grandmother applied for the scheme after receiving advice from the headteacher at her grandson’s school and was subsequently notified that she would receive a £700 payment.
She explained, “For the time being I will no longer have to say ‘No sorry, Nanny hasn’t got any pennies today’ when he asks for a £3 ice cream or be reluctant to put fuel in the car and take him to the beach for the day. This payment will literally change our lives and make everyday struggles that bit easier.”
Nicole Mills, Director of Families and Children at Wiltshire Council, said, “Family members and friends who take on the care of a child can face costs they had not planned for. These payments can help with the everyday costs of bringing up a child, as this carer’s experience shows.
“You may think of yourself as a grandparent, relative or friend looking after a child rather than a kinship carer. Please do not assume that means the payments are not for you.
“Our webpage explains who may qualify and how much they could receive. You can also contact our kinship team if you are unsure whether you are eligible.”
People may qualify if they care for a child full time and have a Special Guardianship Order or a ‘lives with’ Child Arrangements Order for a child who would otherwise be in care.
Some people who have applied for one of these orders may also qualify depending on how far their court proceedings have progressed, while those without a legal order can contact the council’s kinship team for advice.
People do not need to already be known to Wiltshire Council or be certain that they qualify before getting in touch.
More information, including eligibility criteria and payment amounts, is available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/kinship-allowance-payments.
Families can also email email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 0300 456 0108.
