Foster carers and people who work in the armed forces
Example cases of foster carers
Example one:
A three bedroom housing association property is occupied by a couple with one foster child:
We can allow:
- One bedroom for the couple
- One bedroom for the foster child
Applying the size criteria means that the claimant is under-occupying by one bedroom. A 14% reduction will be applied to the eligible rent.
Example two:
A four bedroom council house is occupied by a couple, a non-dependant son and two foster children of opposite sex who are aged 11 and 13.
We can allow:
- One bedroom for the couple
- One bedroom for the non-dependant son
- One bedroom for one of the foster children
Applying the size criteria means that the claimant is under-occupying by one bedroom; the size criteria rules only allow one additional bedroom for a foster child or children.
A 14% reduction is applied to their eligible rent.
Example three:
A three bedroom housing association property is occupied by a couple with one dependant, one non-dependant and a foster child. They have made a new claim for housing benefit.
We can allow:
- One bedroom for the couple
- One bedroom for the dependant
- One bedroom for the non-dependant
Applying the size criteria means that the claimant will be entitled to three bedrooms; this is because they do not have an additional room in the property for a foster child.
Example four:
A three bedroom council property is occupied by a couple with one dependant aged two and a foster child aged four of the same sex. They have made a new claim for housing benefit.
We can allow:
-
One bedroom for the couple
-
One bedroom for the dependant child
-
One bedroom for the foster child
Applying the size criteria means that the claimant will be entitled to three bedrooms; this is because one additional room is allowed for a foster child, regardless if they could share with the dependant.
Example five:
A two bedroom housing association property is occupied by a couple. They make a claim for housing benefit on 1 April 2019. The partner has applied to be a foster carer but does not receive approval to be a foster carer until 1 July 2019.
Applying the size criteria means that the claimant is under-occupying by one bedroom until the Monday following the date the foster carer is approved.
If a foster child is placed with the couple until 31 August 2019 and then no further children are placed with the couple for the next 52 consecutive weeks, the additional room will continue to be allowed until 31 August 2020.
Example six:
A three bedroom privately rented property is occupied by a single adult with two foster children; a boy aged 12 and a girl aged 13.
As there is only one room allowed for a foster child or children the bedroom calculation will be:
- One bedroom for the adult
- One bedroom for the foster children
The local housing allowance rate would be a two bedroom rate as only one room can be allowed for the foster children even though they are over 10 and of opposite sex.
Example 7:
A three bedroom privately rented property is occupied by a single adult, they were approved on 1 January 2013 as a foster carer but as yet has not had one placed with them.
They make a claim on 1 April 2019.
They will be entitled to a two bedroom local housing allowance rate based on:
- One bedroom for the adult
- One bedroom for the foster child, even though they do not have one placed there yet
If a child is not placed with the claimant within 52 consecutive weeks from the date they were approved (1 January 2019) the one bedroom local housing allowance rate will apply from the Monday following 1 January 2020.
Further information:
Last updated: 14/06/2023 11:27
