The Western Australian Council of Social Service welcomes the State Government’s announcement of a $3.6 million cost-of-living relief program for foster carers, grandcarers, family carers and special guardian carers.
Under the package, these carers will receive a one-off, $500 payment for the first child in their care, and $250 for each additional child, supporting about 5,600 households across WA.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said:
“This is very welcoming news for carers in what is an especially difficult and expensive time of the year for them, as we head into the holiday season and children are on holidays from school.
“We applaud Premier Roger Cook, Minster Sabine Winton and the State Government for this cost of living relief for foster carers.
“Western Australians – and especially those on lowest incomes – are more than ‘feeling the pinch’ as living costs have continued to surge this year, so it is pleasing to see government assistance programs such as these being introduced to help those who need it most.”
WACOSS will be releasing its 2023 Cost of Living Report next week which highlights just how tough it is for many in our communities.