Sole parents
When a sole parent client is imprisoned they will no longer be entitled to Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.
The Jobseeker Support Student Hardship should be suspended from the day after imprisonment.
You may 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. The length of the time in prison can be obtained by contacting the prison liaison officer at the Department of Corrections.
Generally, the 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 and Best Start tax credit through Inland Revenue
Exception
There is discretion to pay all or part of the Jobseeker Support Student Hardship to a temporary caregiver caring for the client's children.
There is also discretion to continue payment if the client is remanded in custody pending a further court appearance.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Exceptions to rule that benefit not payable during custody in prison or on remand section 218 Social Security Act 2018
