1.1.P.340 PP child (PP)

Introduction

This section sets out the definitions of PP child. There are 3 definitions:

SSAct section 500D(1) applies to claimants of PP on or after 1 July 2006 who are a member of a couple,
SSAct section 500D(2) applies to claimants of PP on or after 1 July 2006, who are NOT a member of a couple,
SSAct section 500D(3) applies to people who are covered by the PP transitional arrangement in relation to the child.

Act reference: SSAct section 500D PP child, section 5(15) to (24) Principal carer

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.5.1.15 Qualification for PP - Transitional Arrangements, 1.1.P.412 Principal carer, 1.1.D.70 Dependent child

Definition of PP child for claimants on or after 1 July 2006

A child is a 'PP child' of the person if:

the person is the principal carer (1.1.P.412) of the child, AND
the person is a member of a couple, AND
the youngest child has not turned 6.

A child is also a PP child of the person if:

the person is the principal carer of the child, AND
the person is NOT a member of a couple, AND
the youngest child has not turned 8.

Example: Melody claims PP from 30 October 2006 when her first child, Mark, is born. As Melody is a single parent, she has a PP child under SSAct section 500D(2) and, if she remains eligible, can continue on PP until October 2014, when Mark turns 8. However, if over this period, Melody becomes a member of a couple, she can only continue on PP until October 2012, when Mark turns 6, as she now has a PP child under SSAct section 500D(1).

Act reference: SSAct section 500D(1) to 500D(2) A child is a PP child of a person if..., section 5(2) to 5(9) Dependent child-under 16, section 5(15) to 5(24) Principal carer

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.5.1.20 Child-related Qualification for PP - Overview, 1.1.P.412 Principal carer

Definition of PP child for people covered by PP transitional arrangements (on payment immediately prior to 1 July 2006)

A child is a PP child of the person if:

the person is the principal carer of the child, AND
the child has not turned 16, AND
the person is covered by the PP transitional arrangement, AND
the person was the principal carer of the child immediately prior to 1 July 2011 (subject to the passage of legislation).

Explanation 1: Prior to 1 July 2006, the PP child definition was based on care of a dependent child aged under 16. Under PP transitional arrangements (3.5.1.15), certain recipients who have a 'start day' for their payment prior to 1 July 2006 may retain qualification under pre-1 July 2006 conditions.

Explanation 2: From 1 July 2011, a person can only be covered by the PP transitional arrangements in respect of children in their care immediately prior to 1 July 2011 (subject to the passage of legislation). Any children that are born or come into a person's care from 1 July 2011 will be treated the same as children of claimants on or after 1 July 2006, that is, they will only be considered a PP child until they turn 6, if the person is a member of a couple, or 8, if the person is single.

Example 1: Susan is a single parent with 2 girls aged 11 and 14. She has been receiving PPS since January 2005. As long as Susan continues to meet qualification and payability criteria, and remains covered by the transitional arrangement (3.5.1.15) she will be eligible to receive PPS under pre-1 July 2006 conditions, until her youngest child turns 16.

Example 2: Xenie is married to Robert, they have a 13 year old son and are due to have baby in August 2011. Xenie has been receiving PPP since December 2002 and is currently covered by the PP transitional arrangements. When Xenie has her baby in August 2011, she will not be covered by the PP transitional arrangements in respect of that new child and will only be eligible for PPP until her youngest child turns 6 years. However, Xenie is still covered by the transitional arrangements in respect of her older son and he will remain a PP child until he turns 16.

Act reference: SSAct section 500D(3) A child is a PP child of a person if..., section 5(2) to 5(9) Dependent child-under 16, section 5(15) to 5(24) Principal carer, section 500F When a person is covered by the parenting payment transitional arrangement

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.5.1.20 Child-related Qualification for PP - Overview, 3.5.1.15 Qualification for PP - Transitional Arrangements, 1.1.P.412 Principal carer

Child is the PP child of only one person

The provisions of SSAct section 5(18) mean that only one person at a time can be the principal carer (1.1.P.412) of a child. Since being the principal carer of a child is one of the criteria for having a PP child, it follows that a child can ONLY be a PP child of one person at a time. In all shared carer situations, to determine who has the PP child, it is necessary to determine which of the carers is the principal carer.

Explanation: Only one parent can receive PP in respect of a PP child. This means that the Secretary must make a determination specifying which of the carers is the principal carer of the child, even if the child would be the PP child of 2 or more adults, but for subsection 5(18). For further guidance on making this determination, refer to 1.1.P.412.

Act reference: SSAct section 5(18) Principal carer-a child can only have one principal carer

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.P.412 Principal carer

PP child during a temporary absence from care

Refer to 1.1.P.412 for situations where the child is taken to remain in the person's care during a temporary absence. Since being the principal carer of a child is one of the critieria for having a PP child, it follows that the process of determining who is the principal carer during a temporary absence will also determine which carer has the PP child.

Act reference: SSAct section 5(2) to 5(9) Dependent child-under 16, section 5(17) For the purpose of determining whether a person is the principal carer of the child

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.P.412 Principal carer, 3.5.1.50 Child-related Qualification for PP - Shared Care

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Last reviewed: 1 July 2011

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