Benefits available to foster parents
Can I still claim benefits if I foster?
Here you’ll find a complete list of benefits available and advice about how your fostering allowance may affect your ability to claim.
As a foster parent, you’ll be able to claim means-tested benefits as payments made to you in your fostering allowance are not counted as income. So, for example, if you were receiving child tax credit before fostering, and all other circumstances remain the same, you’ll still be able to claim it once you’ve become a foster parent.
Finance Calculator
Find out how much you could earn through fostering with our Finance calculator
Tax and National Insurance
Thanks to generous tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs, foster parents pay very little (if any) tax. By joining Fostering People, you will gain free membership to Foster Talk and will be able to access their fostering tax advice and support services.
Does a foster parent get paid for fostering?
Yes, go to our financial calculator to gain an idea about how much you could receive.
How much is a foster parent paid?
Our foster carers do a fantastic job, which is why we reward them for their hard work with generous fostering payments. The exact amount you’ll receive will vary depending on the type of placement and the individual needs of the child. The average payment we make to our fostering families is £490 per week per child. Visit our fostering allowances page to find out more.
Do I have to pay tax on my fostering allowance?
As a foster parent, you won't have to pay tax on the first £10,000 you earn from fostering. This is because HMRC provides a fixed tax exemption of up to £10,000 per year (or less if you foster for a shorter period). This tax exemption is shared equally between all foster parents in the same household. Read more >
Can I still go out to work if I become a foster parent?
Yes, you can! Although many foster parents prefer not to. We offer generous fostering allowances so that the main foster parent doesn’t have to work. This means you can be constantly available for the child in your care, and able to attend meetings and continue training. Other foster parents prefer to work part-time and make themselves available at short notice, such as if their child falls ill at school. We have foster parents who continue to work and others who’d rather stay at home. We’ll look at this with you and consider your individual circumstances.
Take your first step to becoming a foster parent today
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent and would like to learn more, then we’d love to hear from you.
Simply fill in the form below and one of our friendly team will be in touch.
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Call us on 0800 077 8159
Suite D, The Point,
Welbeck Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, NG2 7QW