Clients with a partner and no dependent children
Where a client or partner has a warrant to arrest and they have not resolved the warrant to arrest within 10 working days, their portion of the main benefit and Extra help will be stopped.
Client has warrant to arrest
Where a client has not resolved the warrant to arrest within the 10 working day notice period, for the partner to receive their portion of main benefit and any Extra help, the client's portion will be reduced to zero using the SWTAR screen in SWIFTT.
The partner can continue to receive their portion of the main benefit and any Extra help (this includes being paid the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment) for 28 days after the benefit has been suspended. Prior to the benefit suspending at 28 days, the primary client will automatically be sent a letter which advises that the entire benefit will stop in two weeks if the warrant has not been resolved.
Where the client's portion of benefit has been stopped for more than 28 days, the partner will need to contact Work and Income to determine if they qualify for a benefit in their own right.
Partner has warrant to arrest
Where a partner has not resolved the warrant to arrest within the 10 working day notice period, their portion of the main benefit and Extra help will be stopped.
The client will continue to receive their portion of the main benefit and Extra help (including the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment).
Both have a warrant to arrest
Where both the client and their partner are identified as having a warrant to arrest and they both have not resolved the warrant to arrest within 10 working days, their main benefit and any Extra help (including Winter Energy Payment) will stop.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Effect of non-payment or suspension of benefit section 216 Social Security Act 2018
