Partner in prison

You can pay Sole Parent Support to a client when they have lost the regular financial support of their partner as their partner:

• has been imprisoned or
• is subject to release or detention conditions that prevent employment

Where the client and their partner were receiving a benefit before the partner went into prison (and the partner is eligible to apply for home detention), it is more appropriate to continue to pay all or part of that benefit to the client rather than pay Sole Parent Support. When the partner is approved release under the home detention programme, they may be included in the client's benefit and the partner can apply for an exemption from their work obligations.

Note that when a client has been in receipt of Sole Parent Support and a client's partner is released from prison to the same premises under the home detention programme, the client cannot continue to receive Sole Parent Support. The client or partner (on home detention) can test their eligibility to:

• Jobseeker Support or
• they may be eligible for an Emergency Benefit (if they cannot receive Jobseeker Support)

The partner (on home detention) can apply for an exemption from their work obligations.

When a client's partner is released from prison under the home detention programme but not to the same premises as the client receiving Sole Parent Support, the client can continue to receive Sole Parent Support. The partner released from prison can receive Jobseeker Support at the half married rate.

Some income the partner receives while they are in prison is taken into account and charged against the client's Sole Parent Support.

For more information see:

• Types of income