Fostering and benefits

[SingleMumAndProud]

Hello. Does anybody who is on full benefits (HB, IS etc) foster? I know I want to foster and I know it is for me, but I am just trying to work out if financially it is going to work.

I have been trying to find out wheather or not benefits would be affected or not and there seems to be loads of mixed advice?

Does anybody know the answer to this?

Fostering is something I really really want to do. But if I loose my benefits, I simply couldn't afford to do it

[sumum]

Hi my husband lost his job couple of months ago (back in work now thankfully) and we had to claim benifits for a few weeks.

we got income based job seekers allowance.

My fostering money was discounted as income as we foster for a local authority, if we had been with an independent agency they would have taken the fostering money into account as income.

hth.

[NanaNina]

SM&P - don't be out off fostering because you are on benefits. Talk to your local socia services dept and they will explain what happens, as arrangements can differ dependent on where you live, but you certainly can foster when you are on benefits. SO ring up your local SSD and ask to speak to a social worker or team manager in the fostering team. Explain you are interested in fostering and they will send you an information pack. While you are on the phone ask about the benefits and fostering allowance issue and they should be able to advice you accordingly.

Don't be put off please there is a tremedous shortage of foster carers throughout the country. You are much needed