Sole Parents
For the first 13 weeks in hospital, sole parent clients are entitled to the full rate of payment. If a sole parent requests, apportion part of their payment to cover the cost of alternative care or accommodation for the client's dependent children.
For more information on apportionments, see:
Check:
- whether the client is likely to be in hospital for longer than 13 weeks
- how long the client is likely to be in hospital
- their financial circumstances
- their continuing commitments and
- any childcare arrangements
If the client has been in hospital for 13 weeks and the client has continuing financial costs including supporting their children, you can pay at a rate higher than the hospital rate up to the maximum otherwise payable.
For more information see:
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, Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit or including the child/children in the new caregivers benefit.
For more information see:
