Death of a child

When a dependent child dies they should be excluded from a sole parent's Supported Living Payment 28 days following the date of the child's death.

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

Clients must still respond to a Mandatory Review for Supported Living Payment during the 28-day continuation of payment. They may be able to get an extension or an exemption.

Note if the client has other changes of circumstances such as a change of income, the rate of any benefit will need to be reassessed using the sole parent threshold rates.

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

If Supported Living Payment and any extra help is continuing at the existing rate for up to 28 days because the sole parent's 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 Supported Living Payment and any extra help is continuing at the existing rate for up to 28 days because the sole parent'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.

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

Note if the child's third birthday is in the 28-day period the Best Start tax credit automatically stops from the date of the child's third birthday.