Dependent child for eligibility purposes

A dependent child for social housing purposes is a child who is:

• primarily the responsibility of the client
• being maintained as a member of that family and
• financially dependent on the client

A child is a single person under the age of 18 years, other than a person who is:

• 16 or 17 and
• financially independent

A child may also include a person who is 18 years old for a limited period if they are:

• continuing in education and
• not financially independent

Note the following children are considered to be a dependent child for eligibility for social housing purposes and would be allocated a bedroom if:

• they are a child for whom the Orphan's Benefit, Unsupported Child's Benefit, or Foster Care Allowance is being paid or
• there is a shared custody arrangement, and the child stays in the house for overnight stays that are equal to or more than six days per fortnight or
• they are a dependent child of an additional occupant

In order to be allocated a bedroom, the child must also be a full-time member of the household.

In some situations, a child may not be living at home, but is still considered to be a dependent child and be allocated a bedroom.

Generally, adult children living with the family would not be considered for bedroom allocation unless they meet the criteria to be an additional occupant. However, they may be considered as an applicable person if they are intending to be a signatory to the tenancy agreement and an assessment of their housing need has been undertaken.