Foster carers and benefits - Can I get housing benefit?

Housing Benefit

If you are already getting Housing Benefit (Housing Benefit England, Scotland and Wales / Housing Benefit Northern Ireland) you can carry on getting it as a foster carer.

If you are getting Housing Benefit in a private rented property, you can get one extra bedroom in your local housing allowance rate if you are a foster carer, even between placements. Housing Benefit in private rented accommodation is limited to the rate for four bedrooms, even if the size of your household might mean you need more than four bedrooms.

If you are getting Housing Benefit in a council or housing association property, you can have one extra bedroom if you are a foster carer, even between placements.

The money you get as your fostering allowance will be ignored when working out your Housing Benefit.