Foster carers to be exempt from paying council tax
Hackney foster carers will no longer have to pay council tax in recognition of the invaluable contribution they make to the lives of the borough's most vulnerable children, the Council's Cabinet agreed last night.
The exemption will apply to all foster carers who live in the borough. Those who don’t - and for whom the council cannot waive council tax - will be given an extra £10 per week as a contribution to their council tax costs in the boroughs in which they live.
More than 90 locally-based foster carers are set to benefit from the scheme, which will come into force from April this year, and see them save an average £1,671 per year, based on the current Band D council tax rate. While a further 73 living out of borough will benefit from the weekly addition.
I am so proud of our foster carers for all the incredible things they do that make a positive impact on local children.
The council tax exemption is our way of recognising the incredible, life-changing work, and to provide additional support at a time when the cost of living continues to put strain on incomes.
Find out more about changing a child’s life through fostering here; or call the team directly on: 0800 0730 418.
Hackney Council has unlocked more than £5m of support to residents to help them counter the increase in day-to-day items and outgoings as a result of the cost of living crisis engulfing the country, including direct payments to support those in severe hardship and who have no other source of monetary support available.
If you would like to know what help and support is available to you, both locally and nationally, you can read the Council's Here to Help guide (also being distributed across the borough and available in all libraries); or you can also contact our team of specialist advisors - called the Money Hub - here or by calling 020 8356 3111.