Section 247 — Social Security Act 2018: Variation for suspension or cancellation of benefit or non-entitlement period affecting couple with 1 or more dependent children

247 Variation for suspension or cancellation of benefit or non-entitlement period affecting couple with 1 or more dependent children (1) This section applies when— (a) a main benefit is payable at a work-test couple rate; and (b) the benefit is reduced, suspended, or cancelled under section 227 or 232 ; and (c) the reduction, suspension, or cancellation results from— (i) the failure of both spouses or partners to comply with 1 or more specified obligations under this Act; or (ii) the application of section 227 to both spouses or partners; and (d) the couple have 1 or more dependent children. (2) This section also applies when, under sections 225 and 227 , a person with 1 or more dependent children who is in a relationship has not been granted a main benefit and is not entitled for a period of 13 weeks to a work-tested benefit that would be payable at the work-test couple rate. (3) In a case to which this section applies,— (a) the reduction, suspension, cancellation, or non-entitlement period applies to only half the applicable rate of main benefit before any reduction on account of income; and (b) the spouses or partners are entitled to receive half that rate (and the appropriate income test applies to that rate). (4) Subsection (3)(b) is subject to regulations made under section 442(2)(e) (regulations: payments: apportionment) for the purposes of section 337 (how benefits are paid). Compare: 1964 No 136 s 120(2), (3)