Sole Parent Support : Contents
Breakdown in the child's family cannot be established
If a breakdown in the child's family cannot be established the child cannot be considered dependent for Sole Parent Support purposes.
The client should:
- ask the child's parent to contribute financially to the care and support of the child or
- apply for Child Support or
- have a good and sufficient reason to include the child in their benefit
Note the child must meet the definition of a dependent child to be included in the client's benefit.
Care and protection concerns
When considering the above bullet points and whether a family breakdown has occurred it is important to consider any possible care and protection concerns for a child or young person.
If MSD believes any child has been, or is likely to be harmed (physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected, deprived or MSD has concerns about the wellbeing of the child, the case must be referred to Oranga Tamariki.
For more information see:
Legislation
- When dependent child may be regarded as applicant's child section 31 Social Security Act 2018
