Adoption allowance information
Adoption allowance scheme
Prospective Adoption Allowance is paid to all prospective adopters up to 28 days post the adoption order being granted unless the prospective adopter does not want it. Any adoption allowance paid thereafter is subject of a means tested assessment. The child must have a specified adoption related need, and the parents’ disposable income must not exceed some or all of the sum of the eligible annual allowance. New assessment requests are presented to our Support and Adaptation Panel for consideration where a senior manager will decides if the allowance is awarded.
We only pay adoption allowance to Edinburgh’s children. Any award granted will be paid from the date that all evidence of income and expenditure is received by the assessor.
If you are awarded the adoption allowance, you must let us know of any significant changes to your child’s needs and/or your financial circumstances. You must let us know if you move house or your child stops living with you.
Your award will be reviewed at least every 2 years or sooner if deemed required. If you do not engage with the review your award will stop. The award would only be reinstated from the point of the review being completed should you and your child’s circumstances still qualify.
An assessment for the adoption allowance can be requested at any time after the adoption order is granted. The adoption allowance will stop if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, or the child turns 18 years old.
The allowance is paid at the following rate for all placements and adoptions that were made/granted post April 2014:
| Age Range | Weekly Allowance |
| 0-4 | £58.07 |
| 5-10 | £73.24 |
| 11-13 | £94 |
| 14-15 | £96.95 |
| 16-18 | £118.66 |
Pre-April 2014 rates: These where frozen from 16th April 2017, meaning that recipients may be in receipt of a payment that does not match the age of their child. You will be moved to the Post April 2014 rates if you would be better off.
|
Age Range |
Standard £ |
Less High Child Benefit |
Less Low Child Benefit |
|
0-4 |
101.40 |
80.70 |
87.70 |
|
5-10 |
123.49 |
102.79 |
109.79 |
|
11-13 |
153.71 |
133.01 |
140.01 |
|
14-15 |
158.01 |
137.31 |
144.31 |
|
16-18 |
189.62 |
168.92 |
175.92 |
Foster carers that adopt will continue to receive their fostering fee and allowance for 2 years following the adoption order being granted. Thereafter they are subject to assessment should they wish to be considered for the adoption allowance.
The means tested assessment considers your financial circumstances coupled with the needs of your child. If your child presents needs that are related to their adoption and your income is low, you may qualify for the allowance.
How we calculate the allowance:
Income considered:
|
Parent 1 Earnings/Benefits: income less tax, NI and superannuation |
|
Parent 2 Earnings/Benefits: income less tax, NI and superannuation |
|
If you have assets and/or savings combining over the value of £16000, you will not qualify for the allowance. |
|
Other income: e.g. pension, carers allowance |
|
Child related benefits |
Expenditure
|
Mortgage/Rent from main property only |
|
Council Tax |
|
Where a child’s additional needs require them to be transported by car and they are not in receipt of mobility disability payment, please provide, main vehicle only, Road Tax, up to £200 pa and Insurance |
|
Personal expenses allowed: Parents (£9,000 per parent) Children (£6,500 per child) |
The calculation:
A. If expenditure exceeds Income, then maximum Adoption Allowance is payable.
B. If income exceeds expenditure but is less than the total amount of Adoption Allowance payable in the year then the amount payable is the Adoption Allowance minus the excess income.
|
Yearly Adoption Allowance |
|
|
Minus Excess Income |
|
|
Allowance to be Paid |
|
C. If income exceeds expenditure and is greater than the maximum Adoption Allowance payable then no Allowance is payable.
|
Excess Income |
|
|
Yearly Adoption Allowance |
|
|
Amount over Threshold |
|