247Variation for reduction of rate of benefit (by half or to zero), or money management, suspension, or cancellation of benefit, or non-entitlement period, affecting couple with 1 or more dependent children

1. This section applies if—

2. a main benefit is payable at a work-test couple rate; and
3. either—
   1. the benefit or the rate of the benefit is, under any 1 or more of sections 227, 232, 233A, 236, 236A, 236C, 236D, 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J, subject to a reduction (by half or to zero), money management, a suspension, or cancellation (sanction A) because of—
      1. the failure of one spouse or partner (P) to comply with 1 or more specified obligations under this Act; or
      2. the application to one spouse or partner (P) of section 227; or
   2. under sections 225 and 227, one spouse or partner (P)—
      1. has not been granted a main benefit; and
      2. is not entitled for a period of 13 weeks (non-entitlement period A) to a work-tested benefit that would be payable at the work-test couple rate; and
4. either—
   1. the benefit or the rate of the benefit is, under any 1 or more of sections 227, 232, 233A, 236, 236A, 236C, 236D, 236F, 236G, 236I, and 236J, subject to a reduction (by half or to zero), money management, a suspension, or cancellation (sanction B) because of—
      1. the failure of the other spouse or partner to comply with 1 or more specified obligations under this Act; or
      2. the application to the other spouse or partner of section 227; or
   2. under sections 225 and 227, the other spouse or partner—
      1. has not been granted a main benefit; and
      2. is not entitled for a period of 13 weeks (non-entitlement period B) to a work-tested benefit that would be payable at the work-test couple rate; and
5. the couple have 1 or more dependent children.

6. For the period that sanction A or non-entitlement period A, and sanction B or non-entitlement period B, applies,—

7. sanction A or non-entitlement period A applies,—
   1. if it is a reduction by half or money management, only to any default amount of main benefit payable to P; or
   2. if it is a reduction to zero, a suspension, or cancellation, or a non-entitlement period, only to half of any default amount of main benefit payable to P; and
8. sanction B or non-entitlement period B applies,—
   1. if it is a reduction by half or money management, only to any default amount of main benefit payable to the other spouse or partner; or
   2. if it is a reduction to zero, a suspension, or cancellation, or a non-entitlement period, only to half of any default amount of main benefit payable to the other spouse or partner.

9. Any amount remaining after a sanction or a non-entitlement period is applied under subsection (2)(a) or (b) is payable to the spouse or partner referred to in that paragraph.