Change of caregiver
To get Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit, and Clothing Allowance for Orphans and Unsupported children, the caregiver must be an eligible caregiver of the child.
For more information see:
- Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit Change of caregiver
Temporary change of caregiver
If the change in the caregiver is temporary, for example, school holidays or a short stay in hospital, the Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit, and Clothing Allowance for Orphans and Unsupported children can continue being paid to the caregiver, provided contact and support of the child is maintained and the caregiver continues to be the principal caregiver or principal temporary caregiver.
Long-term change of caregiver
If the change of caregiver is long term, and the caregiver is no longer the principal caregiver or principal temporary caregiver, the benefit should stop.
The new caregiver should be invited to apply for Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit in their own right.
Date of review
When a dependent child leaves the caregiver's care, the Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit, and Clothing Allowance for Orphans and Unsupported children should stop from the beginning of the next pay period.
However, there is discretion to continue payments for up to 28 days following the event.
This discretion is generally used to avoid financial hardship for the family when the change has been unexpected, or when processing deadlines have passed.
For more information see:
- Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit New caregiver applies for benefit
For Unsupported Childs Benefit only, also see:
- Unsupported Childs Benefit Temporary return to parents
- Unsupported Childs Benefit Permanent return to parents
Legislation
- If child ceases to be entitled to orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit section 329 Social Security Act 2018
