Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding and life-changing experience, but it also comes with practical considerations, especially around finances. One of the most common questions we’re asked at Family Fostering Partners is whether you can still claim child benefits when fostering and how these interact with fostering payments in the UK. To help clear up any confusion, let’s look at the rules, what support is available, and how our “Be There To Care” scheme can help you make the transition into fostering with confidence.

Do you get child benefit when fostering in England?

In the UK, foster parents cannot claim Child Benefit for children they are fostering. This is because a fostering allowance, sometimes called fostering payments in the UK, are provided instead. Every foster parent with Family Fostering Partners will receive a fostering allowance that is intended to meet the child’s needs; from food and clothing to educational expenses and hobbies.

However, if you have birth children or adopted children living with you, you can still claim Child Benefit for them as usual; however, they are means-tested. 

At Family Fostering Partners, we ensure our foster parents are supported with competitive fostering payments UK wide, ensuring you can provide the best care for a child in need without worrying about financial strain; these payments are not means tested, meaning that your household income has no bearing on your eligibility to become a foster parent.

What benefits can foster carers claim?

While you cannot claim Child Benefit for a foster child, there are other benefits and financial supports that may still be available to you as a foster carer. These include:

• Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits and Income Support– Fostering payments don’t affect your entitlement, but your eligibility for these benefits will depend on your own individual circumstances.
• Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment – If the child in your care meets the criteria for DLA or PIP, you may also be able to claim Carers allowance. 

Additionally, as a foster carer you will benefit from a unique tax system designed to support fostering. This includes a foster care tax allowance, which significantly reduces or eliminates the amount of tax you might pay on your fostering income. Click here to learn more. 

Child benefits and fostering payments in the UK: Rules & restrictions

Here’s a quick summary of how child benefits and fostering payments in the UK work together:

• You CAN claim Child Benefit for your own children or adopted children (if you’re eligible).
• You CANNOT claim Child Benefit for any foster children placed in your care. You will receive fostering payments instead, which cover the cost of looking after a foster child.
• Foster carers may still be able to claim other benefits like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or Tax Credits, as fostering payments are not counted as taxable income for benefit calculations; However, eligibility for these benefits depend on your individual circumstance. You can calculate the benefits you are entitled to by clicking here.

It’s also worth remembering that at Family Fostering Partners, we provide access to Foster Talk who are able to provide free legal and financial advice to our approved foster parents, as well as exclusive offers, discounts and savings.

Support when you start fostering: Our “Be There To Care” scheme

We understand that making the transition into fostering can feel daunting, especially financially if you’re leaving a job in order to foster. That’s why Family Fostering Partners created the “Be There To Care” scheme.

This groundbreaking financial incentive offers new foster parents a weekly payment for up to 10 weeks, designed to cover your living expenses while you wait for a suitable match. It ensures you’re financially secure and fully available to welcome a child into your home without added stress.

This is just one of the many ways we go beyond standard fostering payments UK to support our foster parents every step of the way.

Understanding Family Fostering Partners and Fostering Payments UK

Becoming a foster parent is a big decision, and at Family Fostering Partners, we believe no one should take that step alone. We go beyond providing fostering payments in the UK, our team is here to offer you ongoing training, one-to-one support, and a strong network of peer support.

Alongside competitive fostering allowances and expert advice on how fostering affects benefits, we’ll ensure you feel confident and supported at every stage.  If you’re ready to open your home and heart to a child in need, we’d love to help you begin this life-changing journey.

 Contact Family Fostering Partners today to find out how you can become a foster parent.