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 if the period in prison is likely to be 12 months or more
• Emergency Maintenance Allowance Single and caring for a child who is not their own or
• family tax credit through Inland Revenue

There is discretion to pay all or part of the Emergency Maintenance Allowance 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, see:

• Decision guidelines - sole parents
• Examples - sole parents
• Rate of payment
• Remanded in custody