➭ Frequently asked questions

What happens if I or my partner loses our job?
Should a parent fall out of eligibility, a temporary exemption period of 8 weeks will be granted during which they will be able to continue to access the Offer.

Exceptions to eligibility:

Families in the following situations will continue to be eligible to take advantage of the offer.
Parents who are temporarily away from the workplace either because of sickness or because of parental leave (including maternity leave, statutory shared parental paid leave or adoption leave) will remain eligible to receive the Offer as they are considered to be employed.

Exceptions

Where one parent meets the eligibility criteria and the other parent is in receipt of one of the following benefits, that child will still be able to access the Offer:

Incapacity benefit.
Carers allowance.
Severe disablement allowance.
Long term incapacity benefit.
Employment and support allowance (ESA); or
National insurance credits on the grounds of incapacity for work or limited capability for work.
Universal Credit where the individual has been assessed as having limited capability for work.
Families where both parents are in receipt of the above benefits will not be able to access the Offer.

What is the definition of kinship carers and special guardians?

Family and friends carers (also known as Kinship carers) are those who have taken responsibility for a child or step-child who is not their own because:
• The child has no parents or has parents who are unable to care for the child;
• It is likely that the child would otherwise be looked after by a local authority because of concerns in relation to the child’s welfare
Kinship carers can access the Offer as long as they meet the earnings criteria to be classed as ‘working’, live in Carmarthenshire and are caring for a child who is the correct age to receive the Offer.

Definition of a parent in education or training

A parent in education or training can be a parent who is either:
– enrolled on a Higher Education (HE) undergraduate or postgraduate course
that is at least 10 weeks in length. This includes courses delivered via
distance learning.
– enrolled on a course that is at least 10 weeks in length and which is delivered
at a Further Education (FE) Institution. This includes courses delivered via
distance learning.