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Social Security Act 2018

Obligations - Beneficiaries’ obligations - Specific obligations: social obligations in relation to dependent children

129: Obligations of spouse or partner of beneficiary in relation to dependent children of beneficiary

You could also call this:

“Rules for looking after your partner's children if they get a benefit”

If you are married to or living with someone who gets certain types of benefits, you might have some responsibilities for their children. This applies if your partner gets jobseeker support, sole parent support, a supported living payment, or an emergency benefit.

You will have these responsibilities unless you are a young person who already has other obligations under the law. The responsibilities are explained in sections 131 to 135 of the Social Security Act.

These rules apply to you even if the child isn’t yours. They also apply whether you get some of the benefit money or not.

Remember, these responsibilities are about your partner’s children who depend on them. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the child’s parent or if you don’t receive any of the benefit money yourself.

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128: Obligations of beneficiary in relation to dependent children, or

“Rules for taking care of kids when you get money from the government”

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130: Obligations of spouse or partner of beneficiary in relation to dependent children of spouse or partner, or

“Responsibilities for your partner's children when they get government help”

Part 3 Obligations
Beneficiaries’ obligations: Specific obligations: social obligations in relation to dependent children

129Obligations of spouse or partner of beneficiary in relation to dependent children of beneficiary

  1. The spouse or partner of a beneficiary is subject to the obligations set out in sections 131 to 135 in relation to each dependent child of the beneficiary if—

  2. the beneficiary receives jobseeker support, sole parent support, a supported living payment, or an emergency benefit; and
    1. the spouse or partner is not a young person subject to the obligations set out in section 166 or 167.

      1. Subsection (1) applies whether or not—

      2. the dependent child of the beneficiary is also the dependent child of the spouse or partner:
        1. the spouse or partner receives all or any of the benefit instead of, or as well as, the beneficiary.

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