Relationship Status Verification form may be required

Clients will be assessed at the point of application to see whether they meet the targeting criteria for needing to provide verification. You must not ask the client for this information. You should look for the information in the application form and the applicant's existing SWIFTT and CMS records.

The targeting criteria are:

• Has the applicant separated and reconciled with a partner in the last 12 months?
• Was the applicant included in a couples' benefit that was cancelled in the last six months?
• Does the applicant have a postal address that is different to their residential address? (not including a PO Box address)
• Has the applicant been included in the Low Trust Client Management [no link find out why] service?

Applicants that have not received a benefit before are unlikely to meet the targeting criteria, as there will be no historical information held in the system. However, the targeting criteria assessment must still be completed.

For information about how to assess whether a client meets the targeting criteria, please see Work and Income procedures.

Clients who meet the targeting criteria need to be asked to get their nominated person to fill in a Relationship Status Verification form.

The client is responsible for getting this form completed by the third party and for returning the form to Work and Income.

The client has 20 working days from their date of first contact to get the form completed and return it to Work and Income.

When a Relationship Status Verification form is required, Work and Income will generally make a decision about whether to grant Sole Parent Support once client has returned the form.

If a client refuses to complete the form, you will need to consider the available information and determine whether the client qualifies for Sole Parent Support.

For more information see:

• Extending the 20 working day period
• Not reasonable for client to provide details of a nominated person
• Relationship Status Verification form contents
• Relationship Status Verification form received