Death of a child

When a dependent child dies, the child should be excluded from Sole Parent Support 28 days following the date of the child's death.

Payment of the benefit should continue at the existing rate for 28 days following the date the child died. This provides a transition period for the client to adjust to their change in circumstances.

Best Start tax credit will continue for 28 days following the child's date of death.

If the child's third birthday occurs in the 28-day period the best start tax credit payment will stop from the date of the third birthday.

Generally, clients getting Sole Parent Support must respond to their notice before the child's 18th birthday or the child will be excluded from their payments.

If Sole Parent Support and any extra help is continuing at the existing rate for up to 28 days because a child has died, and that child turns 18 during that period, the child will not be excluded, and the client is not required to respond to the notice during the continuation of payment period.

However, if Sole Parent Support and any extra help is continuing at the existing rate for up to 28 days because the client's child has died and a different child in their care turns 18, the client must respond to the notice or the 18-year-old will be excluded from their payments.