Sole parents - Hospitalisation
When a sole parent client is admitted to hospital, their benefit can continue at the full rate for the first 13 weeks.
You will need to find out who is caring for the client's child and the length of time the client is likely to be in hospital. If requested, you can pay part of the benefit to the child's caregiver to cover the cost of alternative care or accommodation.
When the child is not going to remain in the care of the client, check what the continuing care arrangements are for the child. If the child is no longer a dependent child you will need to exclude the child and review the client's Jobseeker Support.
Client in hospital for more than 13 weeks
If the client has been in hospital for more than 13 weeks, their rate of payment will need to be reduced to the hospital rate. You can pay a rate other than the hospital rate where:
- the client's financial circumstances warrant paying a higher rate
If there are no other continuing financial costs and it is likely that the client will remain in hospital long term, consider other means of income support for the children.
For example, the new caregiver may meet the qualifications for Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit, or the child may be able to be included as a dependent child if the new caregiver is getting a main benefit.
Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit
As long as the child continues to be a dependent child, family tax credit and Best Start tax credit payments continue while the client is in hospital.
Note Best Start tax credit cannot be paid past the child's third birthday.
