Number of dependent children

If a client had a dependent child (or children) in their care at any time during the 26 or 52 weeks before application, the child (or children) must be taken into account when determining the stand-down.

Example if a single client with one dependent child applies for benefit the stand-down period will be based on a single client with one child. However, if this client had 2 dependent children in their care at any time during the 26 or 52 weeks before application, the stand-down period will be based on a single client with two dependent children.

This is regardless of whether the child is still in the client's care at the time of application.