Prison and benefits - April 2024 - Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of the one in four children in the UK

If you are getting housing benefit to help with rent, this can continue to be paid for up to 52 weeks, providing you are unlikely to be away from home for more than 52 weeks, you intend to return to your home and you don’t sub-let. [...] If you do not receive a prison sentence (for example, you are found not guilty or you receive a non-custodial sentence), you will be paid the benefit that has not been paid while you were in prison once you are released. [...] If you do not receive a prison sentence (for example, you are found not guilty or you receive a non-custodial sentence), then once you are released you will be paid the benefit you were entitled to which has not been paid while you were in prison. [...] You can get child benefit while you are a prisoner as long as you continue to be responsible for the child and the money is being used to support the child. [...] You can continue to be entitled to industrial injuries disablement benefit while you are in prison, although you do not get paid the benefit until you are released and will only be paid a maximum of 12 months arrears of benefit when you are released.