Imprisonment
Generally, when client is imprisoned or in custody, they are no longer entitled to get employment and work readiness assistance.
The employment and work readiness assistance should stop from the day following the date of imprisonment or remanded in custody.
MSD must decide whether to temporarily stop or cancel the employment and work readiness assistance considering the likely period in prison (including when the client is being held on remand).
Release from prison or on bail
A client may be entitled to employment and work readiness assistance when they are released from prison or on bail if they meet the qualifications. If a client was receiving employment and work readiness assistance prior to their imprisonment, the date to recommence payment will be the same date as the client returned to their subsidised employment.
Care and protection concerns
If a sole caregiver is remanded in custody and/or sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
In other situations, if MSD believes any child has been, or is likely to be, harmed (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected, deprived or MSD has concerns about the wellbeing of the child, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Application of the Act clause 5 Employment and Work Readiness Assistance Programme
- Factors affecting benefit: custody in prison or on remand section 217-218 Social Security Act 2018
