Foster parents are reimbursed for costs incurred in the care of foster children in placement on a per diem basis. Per diems paid to foster parents across licensed foster care agencies range from $39.00 to $100 with variables depending on training, experience, difficulty of a child, and the ministry approved rate.
Each agency will adopt policies regarding how their per diem and other reimbursements are paid.
How much do Ontario foster parents receive in total?
The foster family allowance rate is set by the province of Ontario and varies from one agency to another based on an array of factors. In addition to room and board, other costs may or may not be included in the per diem set for a foster family.
Items such as clothing, allowance/spending money, gifts, school supplies, relief, travel, summer programming, etc. are a few that may be included or forwarded separately.
Nairn Family Homes per diems currently are in the range of $50-$64 and all other needs are provided as extras. We are committed to maintaining a high level of support for our foster families. It is paid once per month by direct deposit.
Is the foster care allowance tax-deductible in Canada?
Although foster care is not considered strictly a voluntary service, the basic philosophy adopted by the Canada Revenue Agency is that money paid to foster parents is not a wage. The Ontario foster care allowance is a per diem provided to foster parents after they have cared for a child placed in their home as a pay-back for the costs associated with the child’s care. Based on this, the Ontario foster care allowance is not tax-deductible.
What expenses are foster parents responsible for?
In addition to room and board, other costs may or may not be included in the per diem set for a foster family.
Expenses that the foster parents are responsible for will vary from agency to agency. Items such as clothing, allowance/spending money, gifts, school supplies, relief, travel, and summer programming may be included in the allowance or forwarded separately.
Each foster care agency will adopt policies regarding how their per diem and other reimbursements are paid, but at Nairn Family Homes, we cover many of the extras outside of the regular per diem amount. At Nairn Family Homes we use a type of funding for foster families we call “flex funding” which means individualized support that is based on needs.
How does Nairn Family Homes help support foster parents beyond the money they receive
At Nairn Family Homes we are committed to maintaining a high level of support for our foster families. Our training for foster families is extensive and we are available to them 24/7. We are easily accessible and are able to respond to needs in short order. Foster parents stay with us long term and most tell us it is the support and respect received here that is most appreciated.
Do you have more questions about fostering in Ontario? Check out our FAQ!