Birth of a child
Eligibility for a Jobseeker Support (health condition, injury or disability) should be reviewed when the baby is born. If the client includes the child, payment can continue for up to 13 weeks after the birth of the child. However, you can test their eligibility for another benefit, such as Jobseeker Support (if client has a partner) or Sole Parent Support any time after the birth of the child.
Where the payment of Jobseeker Support (health condition, injury or disability) has been continued for four weeks after the birth of the child, the benefit can be extended for another nine weeks.
- Core policy Child Support
Child not going to be included in benefit
If the client does not keep the child, or the child is stillborn or dies shortly after birth, payment may continue for up to 4 weeks after the birth.
No medical certificate is required - a statement will be sufficient.
This will allow the client to recover from the birth and make alternative arrangements. For Jobseeker Support (health condition, injury or disability) to continue after this 4 week period a medical certificate showing incapacity to work is required.
