Terminal benefit payments to surviving person or person caring for a child
Terminal benefit is paid for 28 days when a client dies and has a surviving partner or children.
Surviving partner
When Jobseeker Support is being paid to a couple, both the deceased person's and the surviving person's portion of the benefit is paid. Payment is the total benefit as well as any ongoing extra help. It does not include family tax credit and Best Start tax credit.
The deceased person's portion of terminal benefit is paid to their bank account.
A surviving person can apply to have the deceased person's portion of terminal benefit paid to them. When an application is received, terminal benefit (or remaining unpaid balance) can be paid to that applicant.
The surviving person's benefit should be reviewed to determine the best option financially for the person.
Surviving children
When the deceased client has no surviving partner but has surviving children, the payment of terminal benefit can be made to the person caring for the deceased client's children.
When an application is received, the remaining unpaid balance of terminal benefit can be paid to the carer.
Child turns 18
A child will not be excluded from the parent or caregiver's Jobseeker Support when the child turns 18 during the 28-day continuation of payment.
The review of circumstances for a discretionary benefit such as Jobseeker Support on the ground of hardship when their child turns 18 is not required when the client has died.
For more information see:
Legislation
- After death of beneficiary receiving specified benefit section 326 Social Security Act 2018
- Required manner of payment: payment on death of beneficiary section 346 Social Security Act 2018
- Validation of certain payments made after death of beneficiary schedule 32, Part 5, clause 22 Social Security (Extension of Youth Persons Services and Remedial Matters) Amendment Act 2016 (as saved by clause 64 schedule 1, Social Security Act 2018)
- Exception (definition) section 103A Social Security Act 2018
