FAQ's
Foster Care Allowance
The fostering allowance is not reckonable income for the purpose of income tax, rental allowance, third level grants or most social welfare payments. The Foster Care Allowance includes the Clothing and Footware Allowance. (Back to school allowance).
Legal Expenses Insurance
The IFCA Legal Expenses Insurance provides cover of up to €65,000 for legal expenses in the event of an allegation being made against foster/relative carers or members of their family. The number of claims being made against foster/relative carers is increasing and this insurance will give further support to families who need legal advice and peace of mind for the costs involved. If you have the Legal Expenses Insurance you can access a free 24 hour legal advice line and counselling service.
The policy must be active when the alleged incident occurs to avail of the legal cover. In the event of an allegation being made and a foster carer feels they may need legal advice, the Insurance company must be contacted before an approach is made to any Solicitor.
Medical Cards
Every young person in care should have his/her own Medical Card.
Child Benefit/Early Childhood Supplement
You should be receiving child benefit for each child in your care when they have been in care for more than 6 months. If the young person in your care is under 6 years of age, you may also claim the Early Childhood Supplement after the 6 month waiting period.
Care Orders
You should ask the HSE for a copy of the Care Order if the young person in your care is under a Court Order. If the young person runs away the Gardai will require to see the court order before returning the young person to your care.
Contracts
You must have a contract for every child in your care, be it short term or long term care.
Care Plan
Every young person in care should have a Care Plan. The Care Plan needs to be reviewed and updated regularly with involvement of all interested parties, i.e. foster child, foster carer, social worker, birth parents and/or extended family.
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Foster carers who are caring for a child with certain disabilities can claim Domiciliary Care Allowance. This can be done through your local HSE clinic – it is not relevant to fostering.
Higher Education Grants
A young person in your care, intending to go on to third level education may be entitled to a Higher Education Grant. Only the foster care allowance is taken into account and this is less than the ceiling set for such applications.
Wills
Foster children can inherit from their foster carers, however, they must be individually named in the Will.
Leave
Foster carers are entitled to unpaid Parental Leave (14 weeks) for a child in their care up to 8 years of age. In the case of a child with a disability, up to 16 years of age.