Me and my partner recently adopted a child. It's almost three months now and still couldn't get along with the kid. I have started looking a counselling or a therapy for us and the kid To pay for the counselling or therapy for the child and parents. Are there any funds available ?

You may be able to get funding from the Adoption Support Fund. It provides money for therapy for children and families to help improve relationships, confidence and behaviour. Your social worker can apply for you.

Child adoption

Overview

To be adopted, a child must:

be under the age of 18 when the adoption application is made

not be (or have never been) married or in a civil partnership

The child’s birth parents

Both birth parents normally have to agree (consent) to the adoption, unless:

they cannot be found

they’re incapable of giving consent, for example due to a mental disability

the child would be put at risk if they were not adopted

Who can adopt a child

You may be able to adopt a child if you’re aged 21 or over (there’s no upper age limit) and either:

single

married

in a civil partnership

an unmarried couple (same sex and opposite sex)

the partner of the child’s parent

There are different rules for private adoptions and adoptions of looked-after children.

Living in the UK

You do not have to be a British citizen to adopt a child, but:

you (or your partner, if you’re a couple) must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

you (and your partner, if you’re a couple) must have lived in the UK for at least 1 year before you begin the application process

Adoption Support Fund

If you’re not happy with how the social worker has handled the application, complain to the council. If you’re not happy with the council’s response, contact the Adoption Support Fund team.

Early stages of adoption

To adopt a child you can go through either:

an adoption agency that’s part of your local council

a voluntary adoption agency

The adoption process

Contact an adoption agency - they’ll send you information about the adoption process.

The agency will arrange to meet you - you may also be invited to a meeting with other people wanting to adopt a child.

If you and the agency agree to carry on, the agency will give you an application form.

The adoption approval process normally takes around 6 months. You will then be matched with a child for adoption.

Adoption assessment

Once the agency gets your application it will do the following:

Invite you to a series of preparation classes - these are normally held locally and give advice on the effect adoption may have on you.

Arrange for a social worker to visit you on several occasions to carry out an assessment - this is to check you’re suitable to become an adoptive parent.

Arrange a police check - you will not be allowed to adopt if you, or an adult member of your family, have been convicted of a serious offence, for example against a child.

Ask you to provide the names of 3 referees who will give you a personal reference. One of your referees can be a relative.

Arrange for you to have a full medical examination.

Your assessment

The social worker will send the assessment report to an independent adoption panel. This is a group of people who are experienced in adoption.

The panel will make a recommendation to the adoption agency based on your assessment.

You can go along to ask questions and answer any questions the panel has.

The adoption panel will send their recommendation to the agency, which will then decide whether you’re suitable to adopt a child.

If you can adopt a child

Once your agency decides you can adopt, they’ll begin the process of finding a child. The agency will explain how the process works and how you can be involved.

If you live in Wales your agency can refer you to the National Adoption Service for Wales. This holds details of children across Wales who need adopting.

If an adoption agency says you cannot adopt

If you disagree with an adoption agency’s decision, you can either:

challenge their decision by writing to them

apply to the Independent Review Mechanism, which will look into your case

You can also contact other adoption agencies - but you’ll have to start the process again.

Applying for an adoption court order

To make an adoption legal, you need to apply for an adoption court order. This gives you parental rights and responsibilities for the child.

The child must have lived with you for at least 10 weeks before you apply.

Once the order has been granted:

the adoption becomes permanent

the child has the same rights as if they were your own birth child, for example the right of inheritance

you can buy a copy of the adoption certificate - you will not get this automatically

The order also takes away parental responsibility from:

the child’s birth parent(s)

anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child

How to apply

Most applications for adoption orders are done at a Family Court.

You need to send the court a completed application for an adoption order - Form A58.

Getting an adoption certificate

If your application is successful, the General Register Office will create an adoption certificate. This replaces the original birth certificate, and shows the child’s new name.

If you want a copy of the new certificate you need to buy one - you will not get it automatically.

A ‘full’ copy of the certificate costs £11. You can order one:

online

by post

You need the full version for most legal tasks for your child, for example getting a passport.

Adopting a child you’ve been fostering

You need to be reassessed and approved as adoptive parents if you want to adopt the child you’ve been fostering.

Adopting a stepchild

You need to tell your local council if you want to adopt your spouse’s or partner’s child. You must do this at least 3 months before applying to a court for an adoption order.

The child must also have lived with both of you for at least 6 months.

The adoption assessment

The process to adopt is similar to an assessment through an adoption agency.

The assessment is used to help a court decide if you can adopt the child (rather than being sent to an independent adoption panel).

The court will ask your local council to provide a report on:

your partner

the child

the other birth parent

The report will be prepared by a social worker and will be used to help the court make a decision.

If granted, the adoption court order gives you parental responsibility for the child - along with your spouse or partner.

the child’s other birth parent

An adoption order cancels any other type of court order, such as how and when the child’s birth parent can visit the child.

Adopting a child from overseas

You can adopt a child from overseas if:

they cannot be cared for in a safe environment in their own country

the adoption would be in their best interests

the adopter has been assessed as eligible and suitable to adopt from overseas by an adoption agency in the UK

If you want to adopt a child from overseas, you should contact a UK adoption agency through:

your local council in England and Wales

your local health and social care trust in Northern Ireland

a voluntary adoption agency that deals with overseas adoption

There is a different process for overseas adoption in Scotland.

The adoption process is similar to a UK adoption and will be done by a UK adoption agency that may charge a fee.

If you’re assessed and approved as suitable to adopt a child by a UK adoption agency, they will let you know what you need to do and guide you through these steps.

Your application will be sent to the Department for Education (DfE) or your relevant UK Central Authority to check it meets eligibility criteria.

DfE or your relevant UK Central Authority will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to Adopt and send it with your adoption application to the relevant overseas authority – some countries require adoption applications and supporting documentation is notarised, legalised and translated.

Once matched, you need to visit the child in their own country and confirm in writing that you’ve visited them and want to proceed with the adoption.

You may need to go through adoption court processes in the country you’re adopting from and the UK.

Once the placement has been finalised, you will need to arrange entry clearance for the child to enter the UK.

Fees

The DfE charges a non-refundable fee of £1,975 for processing an application to adopt a child from overseas. The fee is exempt from VAT.

You’ll be contacted by DfE about how to pay the fee once your application has been accepted.

The fee includes case management but does not include legalisation, notarisation or translation costs.

Contact the relevant authority to find out about fees and procedures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Restrictions

The UK has restricted adoption from the following countries:

Cambodia

Guatemala

Nepal

Haiti

Ethiopia

Nigeria

You can read about the reasons for the restrictions for each country.

How to make an exception request

If you want to adopt a child from a restricted country, you will need to set out the reasons in writing why your case is exceptional (for example, adopting a family member) and provide supporting evidence. Find out how to make an exception request to adopt a child from a country on the restricted list.

You’ll need to follow a different process for dealing with restricted countries in Scotland. Contact the Scottish Government for enquiries about restrictions in Scotland.

If you live abroad

You must follow the adoption laws of the country you’re in if you’re normally resident in that country and want to adopt.

You must follow UK adoption law if you’re normally resident in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. This is sometimes called ‘habitual residence’ and can apply even if you’re living abroad at the time of the adoption. If you’re unsure of your residence status, you should get your own independent legal advice before proceeding with an adoption.

You may have to give a sworn statement in front of a solicitor that you’re no longer habitually resident in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands if the country asks for a ‘no objection’ letter from the UK government. You must send this statement, along with a copy of your passport, either to the Intercountry Adoption Team at the DfE or the nearest British embassy.

If you’ve adopted a child – either in the UK or overseas - and then travel or move to a third country, the adoption may not be recognised in that country. If you have any doubts you should get independent legal advice.

Registering an adoption

You can apply to register an overseas adoption in the Adopted Child Register for England and Wales if:

the adoption took place in certain overseas countries

the parent or parents were habitually resident in England and Wales at the time of the adoption

the parent or parents can provide all the supporting documents

You should read the guidance notes before filling in the form to register with the General Register Office (GRO).

Birth parents: your rights

For another couple (or person) to adopt your child, you normally have to agree to it.

Once your child is adopted, you no longer have parental responsibility for them.

Depending on the child’s situation, you may be able to stay in contact with them. This is often done using letters and photographs (and sometimes meetings) through the agency responsible for arranging the adoption.

Fathers’ rights

As the child’s father you’ll be asked to agree to the adoption - but only if you have parental responsibility.

If you were never married to the child’s mother or named on the birth certificate, you can apply to the court for a Parental Responsibility Order to get parental responsibility.

Trying to stop the adoption process

If the adoption process has started, you should get legal advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice.

To make an adoption legal, a court has to grant a court order.

The agency arranging the adoption must let you know what your rights are - and also at what point the adoption cannot be stopped.

If you do not want your child to be adopted, a court will give you the chance to say why. A social worker, independent of the adoption agency, will visit you and:

record the reasons you do not want your child adopted

let the court know these reasons - you can go to court to explain them

An adoption order cannot be made unless the court thinks it’s in your child’s best interests.

Adoption without your consent

A court can decide the adoption can go ahead without your consent if:

it thinks the child would be put at risk if they were not adopted - it will send you the evidence they have been given, for example from social services

you’re incapable of giving consent, for example due to a mental disability


I have completed a training to be an approved foster. I am getting a foster care allowance to help the cost of caring for a child. I get approximatively £12000 per annum What are my tax liability of the money I receive from foster care allowance and are there any tax relaxation ?

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Children stop being in care when they reach 18, even if they’re still living with you. There is no minimum allowance when your child is old enough to leave foster care.

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

You should have registered as self-employed when you started to foster. You’ll need to file tax returns. Check with your fostering service what you need to do.

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

On top of the £10,000 exemption, you also get tax relief for every week (or part week) that a child is in your care. This means you do not have to pay tax on some of your earnings over £10,000.

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

You can get disability benefits for your foster child if they meet the criteria. You may also be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if your foster child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

You may not have the same level of authority for each child you foster. For example, you might foster 2 children and have the right to sign a consent form for one of them.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

You may not have the right to give consent to medical treatment. Check your child placement plan to find out if you have the authority to let your foster child have:

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Your local council must provide your foster child with a personal adviser from age 16 or 17 to age 25. They will help your foster child move to independent living or support them to stay with you (this is called a ‘staying put’ arrangement).

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your foster child gets a placement plan. This tells you about the child and their needs. The fostering service should invite you to meetings on your foster child’s progress and placement plan.

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

They may remove your foster child from your home or ask the person the allegation is about to leave. They will also look at the safety of any other children in your home.

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

tax relief for every week you foster a child

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

Under 11 | £200 per child

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

11 or over | £250 per child

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations


I'm 71, and am currently living in rented accommodation with my 64-year-old Civil Partner. I have an existing Housing Benefit claim. Can I continue to claim Housing Benefit?

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

If your circumstances change and your Housing Benefit is stopped, you cannot start getting it again unless you and your partner are eligible to make a new claim.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you do not get ‘care, support or supervision’ through your supported or sheltered housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with housing costs.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

You may get help with all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of Housing Benefit and what you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council.

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Your eligible rent is the amount used to calculate your Housing Benefit claim. It’s your actual rent plus any service charges you have to pay (such as for lift maintenance or a communal laundry) but not things like heating or water costs for your home.

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

an overnight carer for you, your partner, your child or another adult - this is only if the carer does not live with you but sometimes has to stay overnight

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

If you rent privately, your eligible rent amount is either your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower. The LHA rate is based on:

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

If you’re affected, your Housing Benefit will go down to make sure that the total amount of benefit you get is not more than the cap level. Use the benefit cap calculator to find out how the benefit cap affects you.

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

If your current tenancy started in 1997 or earlier and you rent from a private landlord, you’ll need to know if you have an ‘assured tenancy’. You can check your tenancy on the Shelter website.

If you live in and pay rent for a government property (a ‘Crown Tenant’), you’re not entitled to Housing Benefit. This includes armed forces living in service family accommodation (SFA).

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You can claim in advance by up to 13 weeks (or 17 weeks if you’re aged 60 or over), for example if you’re moving. You will not usually get any money before you move.

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Housing Benefit will not cover heating, hot water, energy or food. If you need help, use a benefits calculator to see what else you might be entitled to.

Extra help to pay the rent

You could also apply for extra help from your council if your Housing Benefit does not cover your rent. This is called a Discretionary Housing Payment.

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

were getting Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

had reached State Pension age

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.