In the UK there isn't usually a government payment specifically for home education. However, home-educating families can still qualify for ordinary family and disability benefits, and some parts of the UK offer additional support for home educators. This varies depending on where you are in the UK.

England

Local authorities may provide information and support, but parents normally pay for books, resources, tutors and examinations themselves. However, being home educated doesn't by itself prevent a family receiving normal benefits.

Potential support includes:

• Child Benefit Available for children under 16, and potentially until 20 if they remain in qualifying education/training. Importantly, home education is specifically included as qualifying education for Child Benefit purposes after 16, subject to the rules.

• Universal Credit The child element can continue according to the normal rules; home education itself doesn't automatically exclude a family.

• Disability Living Allowance (for children) A disabled child can qualify based on their care/mobility needs regardless of whether they attend school or are home educated.

• Carer's Allowance / UC carer's element may be available where the relevant disability-benefit conditions are met.

Wales

Welsh Government guidance says that local authorities do not have a legal obligation to fund home education, and parents are normally responsible for educational costs including resources, examinations and course fees.

However, the Welsh Government's home-education handbook describes a package of potential local-authority support, which can include:

• examination centres

• additional learning needs (ALN) assessment

• counselling referrals

• careers advice

• enhanced library access

• local activity offers

• consumable educational materials where grant funding permits

• access to Cadw sites

• Welsh-language support

So check what your local authority can help you with. Go to https://www.gov.uk/home-schooling-information-council and enter your postcode (this covers both England and Wales). You will then be taken to the relevant part of your local council's website that contains information for homeschool parents.

Families can also receive the ordinary benefits for which they qualify, including Child Benefit, Universal Credit and disability benefits. See the England section for details.

Scotland

The Scottish Government's current home education guidance explicitly identifies several forms of financial support that home-educated children can potentially receive.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

A home-educated young person may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and the education authority approves the home-based non-advanced education course.

There are additional conditions, including having a history of home education before reaching the official school leaving date.

Best Start Grant / Best Start Foods

Eligible home-educating families can also receive Best Start Grant support.

Scottish Child Payment

Eligible families can receive Scottish Child Payment, currently £26.70 per week per eligible child under 16, subject to the qualifying-benefit requirements.

Further details and eligibility details on this are available on the Scottish government website here.

Northern Ireland

There are no funds directly available to parents simply because they choose home education. The Education Authority may provide guidance and suitable educational-material information, but parents generally meet the costs themselves.

Normal family benefits can still apply.

That includes things such as:

• Child Benefit

• Universal Credit, where eligible

• DLA for children

• other benefits based on the family's circumstances.

Check NI Direct for eligibility and details.