Marital status affects eligibility differently for mothers and fathers.

Mothers

Mothers are eligible regardless of marital status, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met.

Fathers

Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the child's birth:

• Eligible: A single unmarried father who has a child with a single unmarried mother, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.

• Not eligible: A married man who has a child from an extra-marital affair, regardless of whether the other parent is married or unmarried.

• Not eligible: An unmarried man who has a child from an extra-marital affair with a married woman.

Fathers in the last two scenarios may become eligible if they subsequently marry the child's mother and fulfil all other eligibility criteria.