Good and sufficient reason not meeting work or work preparation obligations

You need to be satisfied that the partner does not have a good and sufficient reason for failing to meet their work or work preparation obligations, based on the information you have, before you initiate an obligations failure.

The guiding principle in determining 'good and sufficient' reason is one of 'reasonableness'. Having considered the circumstances, was it reasonable for the client not to have met their obligations?

Good and sufficient reasons may include (but are not limited to), that the partner:

• was temporarily medically unfit and they have a medical certificate that shows this
• had a death or illness in the immediate family
• could not realistically transport themselves on the day, due to unforeseen circumstances
• had childcare arrangements that fell through on the day, due to unforeseen circumstances
• was dependent on the provision of assistance by Work and Income to complete the activity, and that assistance was not supplied
• had an unexpected event occur on that day, such as providing care for a sick relative

Decide in favour of the partner if any doubt remains.

If you are aware that the partner has a good and sufficient reason, do not initiate an obligations failure.

If the client does not have a good and sufficient reason, see:

• Effect of sanctions on assistance

A client can dispute the decision to initiate the obligations failure or the sanction. For more information see:

• Disputes and reviews of an obligations failure