Temporary caregiver

When a client is imprisoned, you will need to find out who is caring for the client's children; and the length of time the client is likely to be in prison. This information can be obtained by contacting the prison liaison officer at the Department of Corrections.

If another person is caring for the client's dependent children or patient (Supported Living Payment - caring for a person only), generally the temporary caregiver will need to apply for financial assistance in their own right.

They may be entitled to:

• have the children included as dependent children in their current benefit
• Unsupported Childs Benefit
• Emergency Benefit Single and caring for a child or
• family tax credit through Inland Revenue
• the Supported Living Payment in their own right

There is discretion to pay all or part of the Supported Living Payment a temporary caregiver caring for the client's children and the patient (Supported Living Payment- caring for a person).

There is also discretion to continue payment if the client is remanded in custody pending a further court appearance.

For more information to help you decide, see:

• Decision guidelines - sole parents
• Rate of payment - sole parents
• Examples - sole parents
• Remanded in custody
• Sole parent