Death of a child

When the client is a sole parent and a dependent child dies, payment of Child Disability Allowance should continue at the existing rate for 28 days following the date the child died.

This provides a transition for the client to adjust to their change in circumstances.

Generally, clients getting Child Disability Allowance must respond to their notice before the child's 18th birthday or Child Disability Allowance for the child will stop.

If Child Disability Allowance is continuing at the existing rate for up to 28 days because a sole parent's child (that Child Disability Allowance is paid for) has died, and the child that died was due to turn 18 during that period, the caregiver is not required to respond to the notice and Child Disability Allowance will not stop during the continuation of payment period.

However, if Child Disability Allowance is continuing for up to 28 days because a sole parent's child has died, and a different child in their care (that Child Disability Allowance is also paid for) turns 18, the caregiver must respond to the notice or Child Disability Allowance for the 18-year-old will stop.