Surrey Welfare Rights Unit

Your benefit entitlement if your child moves out

Now your child is no longer part of your benefit household this will usually reduce the level of benefits including Universal Credit or Tax Credits that you receive. It can also affect the amount you are receiving for housing costs through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit as you may now be entitled to fewer bedrooms.

If you stop caring regularly for your child once they have left home this could mean you are no longer entitled to Carer’s Allowance or the carer element of Universal Credit.  If you are claiming Income Support as a Carer this will also end if you are no longer caring for sufficient hours.  Seek advice to understand the implications. It is your responsibility to make sure you tell everyone who is paying you a benefit of the change in your circumstances as soon as possible.  This prevents you having to pay back any overpaid benefit or Tax Credit.