Couple with one or more dependent children
When a client or partner (with one or more dependent children) does not resolve the warrant to arrest within 10 workings days, 50% of the main benefit and any 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 need to be reduced to zero using the SWTAR screen in SWIFTT. The partner must be paid the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment.
If the client has not resolved their warrant after two weeks, you will need to contact them to discuss financial assistance and resolving their warrant. If the client has still not cleared the warrant at four weeks you will need to send the client a letter advising they need to attend an appointment to discuss on-going entitlement to benefit.
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. The full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment will be paid to the client.
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, they will continue to receive half of their portion of their main benefit and any Extra help.
Each partner can receive 25% of the main benefit and any Extra help. Both the client and partner must have their rate of payment of main benefit and Extra help adjusted using the SWTAR screen in SWIFTT. However, the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment will be paid to the couple as they are still receiving a portion of their main benefit.
Note where the benefit has been reduced for more than 28 days, you will need to contact the couple to discuss financial assistance and resolving their warrant. If the couple have still not cleared the warrant at four weeks you will need to send the client a letter advising they need to attend an appointment to discuss on-going entitlement to benefit.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Effect of non-payment or suspension of benefit section 216 Social Security Act 2018
