Does Fostering Affect Universal Credit?
Will the fostering allowance that you are receiving affect the amount that you get from Universal Credit? Find out here the relationship between fostering allowance and Universal Credit.
The UK government is on a major welfare reform dubbed the Universal Credit. This singular welfare program seeks to phase out several benefits and tax credit systems and merge them into a singular monthly payment.
How will it affect foster carers in the UK?
Fostering allowance is not one of the six benefits the Universal Credit is replacing. A foster carer will continue to receive fostering guided by the minimum weekly fostering allowance set by the local authority or fostering agency.
But since the Universal Credit is affected by an individual’s income, you might be wondering if the weekly fostering allowance that you get will be taken into consideration.
So, will fostering allowance affect universal credit?
No, any fostering allowance that you receive will not affect the Universal Credit amount you are entitled to. This is because the fostering allowance is not counted as “earnings” under Universal Credit.
Therefore, you can still claim Universal Credit as a foster carer in the UK and receive your entitlement based on the qualifying requirements.
