Financial support

Lewisham foster carers receive a weekly tax-free allowance of up to £650.

As a foster carer, you are classed as self-employed and are paid on a weekly basis while you are looking after a child. You will not be paid any fees or allowances for any period that you are not fostering. As part of the application and assessment process, we will discuss your financial circumstances and how you will cope during periods when you are not fostering. Your earnings will be subject to special tax arrangements. In most cases, you will pay very low tax, if any, on your income from fostering.
You will receive:

a fixed tax exemption per year
tax relief per week for each child in your care.

If you currently receive benefits, these may still be paid alongside your fostering payments.

You can find the latest information on taxable income and eligibility for claiming working tax credit on the GOV.UK website.

The GOV.UK website gives you the minimum fostering allowance rates. We pay foster carers a more competitive fee than that stated.

Published on: 13/09/2023