Terminal benefit payments to surviving partner or person caring for the children
Terminal benefit is paid for 28 days when a client dies and has a surviving partner or children.
Surviving partner
When terminal benefit is being paid to a couple, both the deceased client's and the surviving person's portion of the benefit is paid. Payment is the total benefit as well as any ongoing extra help. It does not include family tax credit or Best Start tax credit.
The deceased person's portion of terminal benefit is paid to their bank account.
A surviving person can apply to have the deceased client's portion of terminal benefit paid to them. When an application is received, terminal benefit (or remaining unpaid balance) can be paid to that applicant.
The surviving person's benefit should be reviewed to determine the best option financially for the person.
Surviving children
When the deceased client has no surviving partner but has surviving children, the payment of terminal benefit can be made to the person caring for the deceased client's children.
When an application is received, the remaining unpaid balance of terminal benefit can be paid to the carer.
Mandatory Reviews
There are no Mandatory Reviews of Supported Living Payment when the client has died.
Child turns 18
A child will not be excluded from the parent or caregiver's Supported Living Payment when the child turns 18 during the 28-day continuation of payment.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Discretionary review of entitlement to, or rate of, benefit granted subpart 3 part 6, Social Security Act 2018
- Other specified provisions not limited section 310M Social Security Act 2018
- Ending of benefits sections 325-327 Social Security Act 2018
- Validation of certain payments made after death of beneficiary clause 22 schedule 32, Social Security Act 1964 (as saved by clause 64 schedule 1, Social Security Act 2018)
- exception (definition) section 103A Social Security Act 2018
