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# Family allowance changes to support families with children aged 18 completing academic year
- URL: https://www.thequarry.media/family-allowance-changes-to-support-families-with-children-aged-18-completing-academic-year/
- Published: 2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-31T18:00:44.000Z
- Author: The Quarry
- Tags: News

- Families receiving family allowance or widowed parent's allowance will continue to receive support until the end of the academic year if their child turns 18 while in full-time education, from 1st September 2026
- Currently, entitlement ends on a child's 18th birthday, even if they are part way through an academic year
- The changes align entitlement with the academic year and provide a more consistent approach for families
- Existing claimants will not need to take any action as entitlement will be assessed automatically
- The States of Deliberation approved the changes to family allowance and widowed parent's allowance rules in 2025

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Families receiving weekly family allowance or widowed parent's allowance in Guernsey will continue to receive support until the end of the academic year if their child turns 18 while still in full-time education, under new rules coming into effect from 1st September 2026.

Currently, entitlement ends when a child reaches their 18th birthday, even if they remain in full-time education and are part way through an academic year. Under the new rules, entitlement will continue until the end of the academic year, provided the child remains in full-time education.

The changes are being introduced to align entitlement to family allowance and widowed parent's allowance with the academic year, and to provide a more consistent approach for families whose children are continuing in full-time education when they turn 18.

Existing claimants will not need to take any action. Entitlement will be assessed automatically under the new rules and payments will continue where families remain eligible.

This is being implemented after the States of Deliberation approved changes to the rules for family allowance and widowed parent's allowance in 2025.

Mark Gannon, service lead for benefits and work support at the States of Guernsey, said: "Currently, entitlement to Family Allowance and Widowed Parent's Allowance ends when a child reaches the age of 18."

"These changes mean that eligible families will continue to receive support until the end of the academic year in which their child turns 18, helping to bridge the gap between a child's birthday and the completion of their studies for that year," he said.

"Aligning entitlement with the academic year provides a simpler and more consistent approach for families and ensures support does not end part way through."

A person can apply for family allowance if they are responsible for bringing up a child who is under school leaving age, or 17 or 18 and still in full-time education. Gross household income must be below £125,000 each year.

## Q&A

**Q: When do the new family allowance rules take effect?**  
A: The new rules come into effect from 1st September 2026.

**Q: Do existing claimants need to take any action?**  
A: No, existing claimants will not need to take any action. Entitlement will be assessed automatically under the new rules and payments will continue where families remain eligible.

**Q: What is the income threshold for family allowance eligibility?**  
A: Gross household income must be below £125,000 each year to qualify for family allowance.