Partner's benefit cancelled due to Parental Assistance Test

An initial stand down is not imposed when a client:

• was an included partner in Jobseeker Support, Jobseeker Support Student Hardship or an equivalent Emergency Benefit
• their partner was the qualifying person for that benefit
• that benefit was cancelled because the qualifying person did not meet the Parental Assistance Test and
• the client has applied for and will be granted Jobseeker Support Student Hardship because of their partner's benefit cancellation

Note this applies even if the client is not a young person and is not required to meet the Parental Assistance Test.

MSD must be satisfied that the client applied for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship because their partner's benefit was cancelled because they did not meet the Parental Assistance Test. This means their partner:

• was assessed for the Parental Assistance Test and did not meet it or
• did not provide the information required for MSD to complete the assessment

If there is a delay between when the partner's benefit was cancelled and when the client applied for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, MSD must consider their circumstances during that period to determine the reason for their application. If the reason for their application is not related to the cancellation of their partner's benefit, an initial stand down must be imposed.