Ending of Sole Parent Support when youngest child turns 14

A client's Sole Parent Support expires on the date their youngest dependent child turns 14 years old.

Generally when the youngest dependent child turns 14 years old, a client getting Sole Parent Support is automatically transferred to Jobseeker Support. Jobseeker Support will commence on the date that the Sole Parent Support expires as if the client had applied for Jobseeker Support.

MSD should check if the client has any exemptions in place, and confirm whether these exemptions will end.

For more information see:

• Exemptions

If there is information to suggest, on reasonable grounds, that the client would not qualify for Jobseeker Support, the client will not be automatically transferred to Jobseeker Support. MSD will assess whether the client would qualify for other financial assistance.

Client in study

A client will not qualify for Jobseeker Support if they are in full-time study. If the client wants to continue full-time study, they can check whether they qualify for Student Allowance, Student Loan and/or other tertiary student supports.

A client may qualify for Jobseeker Support if they are in part-time study and are able to meet the job search requirements.

For more information see:

• Client engaged in study
• Decision guidelines - part-time students

Client working full-time

A client will not qualify for Jobseeker Support if they are in full-time employment. This means that a Sole Parent Support client who is working full-time when their youngest dependent child turns 14 cannot be automatically transferred to Jobseeker Support.

For more information see:

• Full-time employment

The following obligations will continue to apply to the client after their transfer to Jobseeker Support:

• obligations to work with a contracted service provider
• social obligations
• work preparation general obligation to take all reasonable steps that are reasonable for their circumstances to prepare for employment
• work ability assessment
• work obligations

The Jobseeker Support expiry date for clients who are automatically transferred from Sole Parent Support to Jobseeker Support when their youngest dependent child turns 14 years old, is either:

• 52 weeks from the date the Sole Parent Support last commenced (meaning the Sole Parent Support expiry date is retained), or
• 26 weeks from the Jobseeker Support commencement date

whichever is earlier.

For more information see:

• Transfer from Sole Parent Support when youngest child turns 14 years old