Change in family circumstances
MSD should review Temporary Additional Support to make sure 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 children in the client's care
The date to review Temporary Additional Support from will depend on the action involved. Generally, MSD should:
Increase
- increase Temporary Additional Support from the actual date of the change in circumstances
Reduce, suspend or cancel
- reduce, suspend or cancel Temporary Additional Support from the first available date except when the client advises of a change more than 14 days after the event
False or misleading information
If a client gives false or misleading information MSD must review Temporary Additional Support from the actual date of the change in circumstances and establish an overpayment where appropriate.
Care and protection concerns
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.
For more information see:
- Core policy Care and protection concerns for a child or young person
- Core policy Relationship status for benefit
Legislation
- Review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted Part 6, subpart 3 Social Security Act 2018
