Becoming a foster parent in England
Help with the cost of fostering
All foster parents receive a foster care allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child.
The minimum is usually between 拢165 and 拢289 a week. The total amount you get depends on:
- where you live
- which fostering service you use
- the child鈥檚 age
- if the child has specific needs
- your skills and experience
The fostering service you apply to will tell you how much you can get.
There鈥檚 more information about financial help in the guide for foster parents.
Tax arrangements when you foster
When you start fostering, you鈥檒l need to register as self-employed and file tax returns.
You鈥檒l also be entitled to qualifying care relief which means you鈥檒l:
- earn 拢19,360 from fostering before you have to pay tax
- get tax relief for every week you foster a child
There鈥檚 more information about paying tax in the guide for foster parents.
Claiming benefits
Being a foster parent can affect the benefits you get. If you鈥檙e claiming benefits you鈥檒l need to tell the organisation that pays you that you鈥檙e also getting foster care allowance.
Use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you鈥檙e eligible for.
For more help on how your benefits may change:
- contact the organisation that pays you