The Adoption Allowance Regulations 1991

Review, variation and termination of allowances

6.—(1) The adoption agency shall review an allowance—

(a) annually, on receipt of a statement from the adopters as to—

(i) their financial circumstances;

(ii) the financial needs and resources of the child;

(iii) their address and whether the child still has a home with them (or either of them); and

(b) if any change in the circumstances of the adopters or the child, including any change of address, comes to their notice.

(2) The adoption agency may vary or suspend payment of the allowance if, as a result of a review, they consider that, the adopters' need for it has changed or ceased since the amount of the allowance was last determined.

(3) Where the adopters fail to supply the adoption agency with an annual statement in accordance with their agreement under regulation 2(4)(b), the adoption agency may deem the adopters' need for an allowance to have ceased until such time as a statement is supplied.

(4) Where payment of an allowance is suspended the agency may recommence payment if as a result of a review the adoption agency considers that the financial circumstances of the adopters have become such that an allowance should be paid.

(5) The adoption agency shall terminate payment of an allowance when—

(a) the child ceases to have a home with the adopters (or either of them);

(b) the child ceases full-time education and commences employment or qualifies for a placement on a Government training scheme;

(c) the child qualifies for income support or unemployment benefit in his own right;

(d) the child attains the age of eighteen, unless he continues in full-time education, when it may continue until he attains the age of twenty-one so long as he continues in full-time education; or

(e) any period agreed between the adoption agency and the adopters for the payment of the allowance expires.