Sole parents
When a sole parent client is imprisoned the Emergency Benefit will generally need to be cancelled.
The Emergency Benefit should be cancelled from the day following imprisonment.
Note generally, sole parents on Emergency Benefit receive the Emergency Maintenance Allowance.
For more information see:
- Emergency Maintenance Allowance Imprisonment
You may need to find out who is caring for the client's children and the length of time the client is likely to be in prison. This information can be obtained by contacting the prison liaison officer at the Department of Corrections.
Exception
There is discretion to pay all or part of the Emergency Benefit to a temporary caregiver caring for the client's children.
There is also discretion to continue payment if the client is remanded in custody pending a further court appearance.
For more information to help you decide these cases see:
Legislation
- Exceptions to rule that benefit not payable during custody in prison or on remand section 218 Social Security Act 2018
