An adult whose parents are untraceable is not deemed to be receiving a parental contribution.
Assistance shall be granted to the adult without applying the parental contribution.
The same is true in the case of a young adult who has been placed in a family-type resource (FOSTER FAMILY) or rehabilitation centre, and who has not been independent long enough because he or she was studying full-time at the same time, if the person has had NO CONTACT WITH HIS OR HER PARENTS for at least two years.
When one parent is untraceable, the parental contribution is determined based on the other parent’s income. The same holds true in situations where paternity has not been recognized (see section 5.7.1). In this case, only the mother may be held responsible for a parental contribution.
When an adult declares that a parent is untraceable or unknown but the band council has information on this parent (for example, the parent is a former client of the last recourse financial assistance program), the advisor must inform that client that the band council will take certain steps to locate this parent. If the adult objects, he must justify the objection (e.g. parental violence). If the adult does not have sufficient cause to object, his application for financial assistance may be rejected or his benefits may be cancelled.
To calculate the parental contribution when only one parent is untraceable, see section 18.4.1.12