Allowances
Please give us a call or visit to find out more.
Facts about fostering
Self-employed
Working as a Foster Carer means you are classed as self-employed. This means you will receive all payments with no deductions for national insurance or income tax. Therefore, you will need to register as self-employed with HMRC and complete a tax return each year to ensure you have no gaps in your national insurance credits.
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Housing benefits
Contact your local council to find out about claiming housing benefit for children that you are caring for in your home. This can help to contribute towards your rent (not available if you own a property either living in or renting out). You may also be able to claim for a period of up to 52 weeks for a bedroom that is reserved for a foster child but is currently unoccupied.
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Council Tax
Alongside the fostering allowance you may be able to have your council tax bill lowered. This depends on your circumstances and how many people live in your household. Each local council sets its own rules and eligibility criteria for the council tax reduction scheme, speak to your local council to find out if you qualify for this.