Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post Reply
User avatar
Suzie, FRG Adviser
Posts: 950
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:25 pm

Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post by Suzie, FRG Adviser » Thu Apr 14, 2022 3:18 pm

Hello Everyone,

Family Rights Group wishes to hear from families who are in receipt of Attendance Allowance and/or Disability Living Allowance, and these benefits were included in your means when calculating the amount you would receive in a Child Arrangements or Special Guardianship Allowance. Family Rights Group is currently taking this up with Government Ministers and would like to hear from families affected. If you have experienced this, please post in this thread to let us know, and I can also respond with advice to help!

If you would rather speak to us confidentially or in more detail, you can phone our Advice Line on 0808 801 0366, which is open Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm (closed on bank holidays).

If you have experienced this but do not feel that you need advice, though would be willing to be contacted for research or media purposes, please email office@frg.org.uk mentioning this post.

Thank you!

Suzie

Help needed.
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:47 pm

Re: Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post by Help needed. » Wed Nov 08, 2023 6:32 pm

We've not gone through it yet but will be in the next couple of months when the kids are transferred to a care order from XXXX to a family friend. That friend is currently fostering temporarily but they want a care order and her getting PR. Only problem is financial assistance will stop for kids. They are planning on transferring to XXXX CS bit we're all aware that any assistance is means testedbin a care order. She's on UC. Can you help, guide or advise?? We're panicking a bit now. Court in December.
Last edited by Suzie, FRG Adviser on Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Place names removed

User avatar
Suzie, FRG Adviser
Posts: 950
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:25 pm

Re: Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post by Suzie, FRG Adviser » Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:57 am

Dear Help needed

Thank you for post and welcome to the Board.

Generally, if children are living with anyone (other than a parent or other person with PR) and they are under a care order , the local authority has parental responsibility (PR) for them and the children are considered ‘looked after children’.

The person ‘looking after them’ (your friend) is a ‘foster carer’ and will/should receive an allowance for them (before) and when they are approved.

Here is our advice sheet about welfare benefits where you will see on page 4 the effects of fostering allowances on universal credits.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie

Help needed.
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:47 pm

Re: Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post by Help needed. » Thu Nov 09, 2023 12:19 pm

Thanks for the swift reply, it's helpful. However the LA has proposed a child arrangement order as well as giving PR as well. Foster assessment a few months back was negative and at the moment we're not considered for an sgo and the financial help that comes with it. We are not entitled to any legal aid or advice either. We need a skilled benefits worker to advise as finances unfortunately may affect the viability of the kids placement if there is no financial assistance. It will also affect whether to accept and agree with the LA'S proposal. It's all rushed as they are proposing this in court in Dec 13th and also there is an ongoing appeal against the negative decision. It's a bit complicated 😕 😥

User avatar
Suzie, FRG Adviser
Posts: 950
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:25 pm

Re: Benefits Counted by Local Authority for Financial Support?

Post by Suzie, FRG Adviser » Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:08 pm

Dear Help needed

Have a look at our information here about child arrangements order allowances.

You said in your previous post that the children were under a care order? Please do read in detail what the effects of such an order are (for children and their carers) outlined in our previous message. If you would like to discuss the matter with one of our advisers do call our service, see here for opening times etc. Here are our webpages that cover all aspects of kinship care.

Additionally, Citizen’s Advice may be able to give you the financial advice you need about welfare benefits.

Best wishes
Suzie

Post Reply

Who is online

In total there is 1 user online :: 1 registered, 0 hidden and 0 guests (based on users active over the past 5 minutes)
Most users ever online was 242 on Sat May 16, 2020 7:47 am