54310 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

54310 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: If a grandparent has their old child or children over the age of 14 and has grandchildren in their care under the age of 14 (for whom they are receiving the unsupported child benefit) what are the work obligations for that grandparent?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB) and Orphan’s Benefit (OB) do not have work obligations that a client could be sanctioned for. If they are receiving a separate benefit in addition to their UCB and/or OB payments, they may have obligations to meet for that separate benefit. If a client fails to meet their obligations to their separate benefit and moves to red, they may be sanctioned, but this sanction would not affect their UCB or OB payments.