|
|
|
|
|
A sum of $250 is payable to a person subject to a VIM agreement on completion of each consecutive 26 week period. A person cannot accrue more than one incentive payment in a qualifying period at a time.
Generally, periods of suspension and zero rate payments are included when calculating the 26 week qualifying period for a VIM incentive payment.
Time spent in gaol is not included in the qualifying period for the VIM incentive payment calculation. Eligible periods on VIM before and after the event will still count towards the 26 week qualifying period.
Example: Vincent lives in Perth and has been on VIM for 10 weeks. Vincent goes to gaol (for a period of less than 13 weeks) and his welfare and family payments are suspended, along with his qualifying period for the VIM incentive payment. When Vincent is released from gaol, his period of suspension ends and he is able to recommence his qualifying period for the VIM incentive payment, which will be calculated onward from 10 weeks.
When a person on VIM's trigger payment is cancelled and subsequently restored with no break in entitlement the VIM agreement and income management are also reinstated. The restoration of the trigger payment has the effect that the person receives continuous entitlement to that payment; and the same applies for VIM and entitlement to the VIM incentive payment.
When acting to restore a person's trigger payment, the delegate should endeavour to advise the person that their VIM agreement is also being reinstated. If the person is not present and cannot be contacted, the default position will be reinstatement of the VIM agreement. Consequently, the person's trigger payments are income managed for the whole period and the whole period will be counted towards the 26-week qualification period for the VIM incentive payment.
If a trigger payment is restored within the 13 week compulsory period of the VIM agreement, then the VIM agreement must be reapplied and income management reinstated. The individual cannot request the VIM agreement to be ended.
Example: Grace receives NSA and has been on VIM for 15 weeks. She fails to lodge consecutive fortnightly forms, so her payment is cancelled (along with her VIM agreement). After a couple of days, Grace makes contact to rectify the situation. Her payment is reinstated and her VIM agreement is restored, meaning Grace receives continuous entitlement to the VIM incentive payment.
If a person's VIM agreement is terminated, for example, they cease receiving a trigger payment, their qualifying period will end. Should the person receive income support payments at a later time, and enter into a new VIM agreement, a new period of accrual will start.
_______________________________________________________
Last reviewed: 20 March 2012
