Decision guidelines - clients with a partner
While Young Parent Payment should generally be stopped when the client is imprisoned, there is discretion for their payment to be continued and paid to the partner not in prison. This discretion allows payment of all or part of the client's Young Parent Payment to their partner.
When considering if payment should be continued, and paid to the partner, this should generally be at the sole parent rate. However, the full married, civil union or de facto rate can be paid if this is warranted after having regard to the particular circumstances of the client and their partner.
To help decide whether it is reasonable to pay the client's Young Parent Payment to the partner while the client is in prison, and the rate to pay, consider the following:
- has the period in prison already passed
- is the client due to be released from prison shortly
- is the likely period in prison less than six months
- do they intend to live together when the partner is released
- has the partner in prison applied for Home Detention
- are there exceptional circumstances that warrant paying the full married, civil union or de facto rate of benefit to the partner who is not in prison
For further help contact Helpline to discuss the circumstances before you make your decision.
For more information see:
