What is a breakdown in the child's family
The breakdown of a childs family involves a failure or collapse of the normal family dynamics that results in no natural, adoptive, or step-parent being able to fulfil their role as parents to their child or children.
Note not all traumatic events within a family will result in a breakdown of a child's family.
Family able to support
In times of a crisis, a child may not be able to reside with their parents therefore close family members or friends may take care of the child. The new caregivers should look to the child's parents in the first instance for financial support.
The parents could still be able to support the child financially. A crisis does not necessarily mean a breakdown of the child's family. In addition, there is a possibility that the child may not be likely to be in that applicant's care for at least 1 year.
Client would like to be the primary caregiver
Where a person (for example a grandparent) would like to be the child's primary caregiver but there is a natural, adoptive or step-parent able to provide care for the child, it would not be appropriate to consider the child as dependent for Emergency Maintenance Allowance.
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