Emergency Benefit : Contents
Temporary caregiver
When a client is imprisoned, you will 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.
If another person is caring for the client's dependent children, generally the temporary caregiver will need to apply for financial assistance in their own right.
They may be entitled to:
- have the children included as dependent children in their current benefit
- Unsupported Childs Benefit
- Emergency Benefit - Caring responsibilities or
- family tax credit and Best Start tax credit through Inland Revenue
Exception
There is discretion to pay all or part of the Emergency Benefit to a temporary caregiver caring for the patient and 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, see:
Legislation
- Exceptions to rule that benefit not payable during custody in prison or on remand section 218(3) Social Security Act 2018
