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Temporary Additional Support : Contents

Child leaves sole parents care suddenly

When a sole parent client stops caring for a dependent child because of a sudden change of circumstances beyond the control of the client, payment of Temporary Additional Support paid for the child leaving care may continue at the existing rate for 28 days following the date the child stopped being dependent.

This is to allow a period of transition for the client to adjust to their change in circumstances.

For example when a child suddenly goes into the care of Oranga Tamariki payments will continue for 28 days from the date the child is no longer dependent on the client.

During the 28 day continuation of payment, if the client has other changes of circumstances such as a change in accommodation costs, the rate of Temporary Additional Support will need to be reassessed using the sole parent threshold rates.

SWIFTT will automate the 28 day extension payment from the effective date of the child being excluded.

Use reason code 331 (Child left care-unforeseen circumstances) to exclude the child in the SCHIE screen.

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.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • Review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted subpart 3 part 6, Social Security Act 2018
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SWIFTT Child Inclusion/Exclusion screen.

Use this screen to include/exclude a child in the client's parent benefit or pension.

Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children is known as "Oranga Tamariki". It came into existence on 1 April 2017, and replaced what was known as "Child, Youth and Family" or CYF.

Its original name, from 1 April 2017 until 18 January 2018, was the "Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki".