Clients with a partner
When a married, civil union or de facto client is imprisoned their Young Parent Payment will generally need to be cancelled.
Note clients who are married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship qualify for Young Parent Payment in their own right. If either of the couple is imprisoned, the other person can continue to receive their own Young Parent Payment.
The Young Parent Payment of the client in prison should be cancelled from the day after imprisonment.
Where there are dependent children, the person who is not imprisoned can receive the sole parent rate of Young Parent Payment where they are no longer in a relationship.
Exception
Where a client is imprisoned and they have a partner and/or dependent children, there is discretion to continue payment of the client's Young Parent Payment in some circumstances.
There is discretion to pay all or part of the imprisoned client's Young Parent Payment to the person who has not been imprisoned. This will depend on the length of time imprisoned.
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 make a decision see:
Legislation
- Benefit not payable during custody in prison or on remand section 217 Social Security Act 2018
- Exceptions to rule that benefit not payable during custody in prison or on remand section 218 Social Security Act 2018
