Recent separation from a partner

This exemption may apply to clients and sole parents with work or work preparation obligations.

Clients who have recently separated from their partner, can be exempt from meeting all their work or work preparation obligations to allow them time to adjust to their new circumstances. This is a full exemption.

Before granting this exemption you should consider the following factors:

• changes in living circumstances
• changes in childcare responsibilities

The client needs to provide:

• a personal statement or
• evidence included in their application for benefit

This exemption is initially given for up to 28 days from the date of separation.

You can extend the exemption. Before you do this you should ask the client to provide information to support the need for the exemption to continue.