Change in family circumstances

MSD should review Community Costs to check that the client still meets the qualifications and is getting the correct rate of payment whenever there is a change in the client's:

• relationship status or
• the number of dependent child/ren in the client's care
  (for example the client may be getting Community Costs for childcare and the child leaves their care permanently)

The date to review Community Costs from will depend on the action involved. Generally, MSD should:

When a child has come into a client’s care, MSD should consider if there are any care and protection concerns.

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.

MSD staff must notify Oranga Tamariki if they are aware that the child’s sole caregiver has been remanded in custody and/or sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

A child must generally be under the age of 18 to be considered a dependent child and be included in their parent or caregiver's Community Costs.

The parent or caregiver must also complete a review of circumstances to determine if they continue to qualify for their discretionary benefit such as Community Costs, and the rate payable.