Frequently Asked Questions

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How should DFG applications including foster children be treated?

Those who look after a child placed with them by social services under section 23(2)(a) of the Children's Act can be regarded as "responsible" for the child. This enables a grant application to be made in respect of that child. As the grant application will be for a child, there will be no contribution to the cost of works from the family.

In the (presumably rare) circumstances when a means-test is applied to a relevant person who is a foster parent, note that foster parents in this situation will not receive Child Benefit for the child. Although they are "responsible" for the child, the child is not a member of their "family" for means-testing purposes. This means that no family premium, no child personal allowance, and no child related premiums can be awarded in respect of that child.

Any fostering payment to the foster parents is ignored as their income (as long as they are made by a local authority under Section 21(1)(a) of the Child Care Act 1980 or by a voluntary organisation under 61 of that Act)."