Prisoners

Clients who have been in prison or on remand for less than 31 days do not have a stand-down imposed if they were receiving a benefit before going into prison and apply for a benefit immediately following their release.

If the client was not in receipt of benefit prior to being imprisoned or placed on remand, a stand-down is imposed.

There is no access to a Steps to Freedom Special Needs Grant for these clients.

Clients who have been in prison or on remand for 31 days or more have a stand-down imposed.

These clients have access to a Steps to Freedom Special Needs Grant to assist them during the stand-down. They may also have access to other forms of assistance to help them re-establish themselves in the community.

When counting the number of days that a client has been in prison or held on remand, you should include the date the client:

• enters the prison or held on remand and
• leaves prison or is released from remand

For more information see:

• Imprisonment Release from prison
• Transfer between benefits