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Emergency Benefit : Contents

Clients aged 16 or 17 years

Generally, it is expected that parents support their children up to 18 years. However, there is specific assistance available to clients aged 16 or 17 who cannot be supported. These clients may be eligible for:

Note sole parent clients aged 16 to 19 years may also be entitled to Young Parent Payment.

Where a client aged 16 or 17 years does not meet all the requirements for any other benefit, they may be eligible for an Emergency Benefit. However, you will need to:

  • consider why they are unable to earn a sufficient livelihood to support themselves (and any dependent family)
  • confirm the client is in hardship and
  • determine they are not eligible for any other benefit

They may also need to meet a Parental Assistance Test if the equivalent benefit is Jobseeker Support or Jobseeker Support Student Hardship. See:

Young person who is 16 or 17 must be in exceptional circumstances

In addition to the criteria outlined above, you should only grant Emergency Benefit to a young person who is aged 16 or 17 if the young person is in exceptional circumstances. For more information see:

Young person may be required to work with a youth service provider

If it is decided to grant an Emergency Benefit, you may consider it appropriate that as part of the condition of receiving the benefit that the young person must work with a youth service provider.

The reason a client aged 16 or 17 years is in hardship as they are unable to earn a sufficient livelihood will determine the equivalent benefit. For more information see:

Also see:

Legislation

  • Emergency benefit: discretionary grant on ground of hardship section 63 Social Security Act 2018
  • Emergency benefits for people aged 16 or 17 clause 7 Direction in relation to Emergency Benefit and Benefits on Ground of Hardship
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