|
|
|
|
|
Before a person can receive a social security payment (section 23(1)-'social security payment'):
Example: Waiting periods, multiple entitlement exclusion or compensation preclusion may make the payment NOT payable to a person who is qualified for the payment.
This topic provides an overview of the provisions that can make a payment not payable. The particular provisions that apply to a payment are explained in the topic on payability, within each payment in Part 3 of the SS Guide.
Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security payment'
Section 37 of the SS(Admin)Act provides that a claim for a social security payment must be granted if the person is qualified and the payment is payable.
A payment is not payable to a person if their rate would be nil, UNLESS the rate is nil because of an advance of PhA or because the person has elected to receive pension supplement minimum amount on a quarterly basis.
Explanation: The first situation means the person is ONLY receiving PhA, but they remain a current social security recipient. In the second situation, the person is on a nil rate but is still entitled to pension supplement minimum amount paid on a quarterly basis i.e. pension supplement minimum amount is still payable after the application of the means test.
Exception: Even though a social security pension or benefit ceases to be payable to a person if their rate would be nil, as an incentive to take up work those who have employment income (1.1.E.102) may qualify for an employment income nil rate period. The rate may be nil due to the employment income of the recipient or the employment income of the recipient's partner. During an employment income nil rate period they can be paid some supplementary benefits, retain their HCC or PCC, and get back onto payment easily.
Note: Where payment is resumed at the end of an employment income nil rate period, the person may, in certain circumstances covered by SSAct section 38B, be taken to have been in continuous receipt of payment throughout the nil rate period.
Act reference: SSAct section 23(4A) Despite subsection (4)…, section 23(4AA) For the purposes of subsection (4A)…, section 38B Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments, section 1061ZEA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1061ZMA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.12 Employment Income Nil Rate Period
The MBR, and the RAA of WA, YA, NSA, PPP, MAA and PA for a period are not payable to a person who is a CDEP scheme participant in respect of the whole or a part of the period. CDEP participants are considered payable at nil rate to enable them to access supplementary assistance (3.8.10.20).
Note: SA and Austudy have a total multiple entitlement exclusion.
Pensioners' CDEP wages will be treated as directly deductible income reducing the pension rate dollar for dollar up to a threshold amount. This only includes CDEP wages. Pensioners will receive RAA if eligible.
Note: A PPS recipient who was a CDEP participant on 10 November 1999 will NOT incur a reduction in their rate of pension. Their CDEP wages are to be treated as ordinary income. However, if a PPS recipient ceased CDEP participation on or after 11 November 1999 and they recommence participation anytime afterwards then their CDEP wage is treated as direct deduction income.
Act reference: SSAct section 408CG Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant (WA), section 500W Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant who is a member of a couple (PP), section 552C Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant (YA), section 578(3) An austudy payment is not payable to a person..., section 614A Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant (NSA), section 660YCH Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant (MAA), section 686(7) SA is not payable to a person..., section 771HK Maximum basic rate and RAA not payable to CDEP scheme participant (PA), section 1188B CDEP scheme participants
Further 1998 Budget Measures Legislation Amendment (Social Security) Act 1999 Schedule 2 item 55
The Secretary may request, but not compel a person to do the following within 28 days of lodging their claim:
If a person fails to do these within 28 days of lodging their claim, then the payment is not payable to them or their seniors health card is to be cancelled.
Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 75 Secretary's power to request tax file numbers, section 76 Effect of failure by person to satisfy request for person's tax file number, section 77 Effect of failure by person to satisfy request for partner's or related person's tax file number
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.3 Notification & Recipient Obligations
The following are not payable to a person who is in gaol or undergoing psychiatric confinement because the person has been charged with an offence:
The Secretary may authorise the payment of a social security pension other than pension PPS to be paid to:
Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security benefit', section 23(1)-'social security pension', section 23(5) For the purposes of this Act, a person is in gaol if..., section 23(8) Subject to subsection (9), psychiatric confinement in relation to a person..., section 23(9) The confinement of a person in a psychiatric institution..., section 1158 Some social security payments not payable during period in gaol or in psychiatric confinement following criminal charge, section 1159 Payment may be redirected to dependent partner or child, section 1159A Person not qualified for some concession cards when in gaol or in psychiatric confinement following criminal charge
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.4 Imprisonment, Psychiatric Confinement & Prison Release
A payment is not payable to a person who has failed to nominate an account to which payments can be credited, within 28 days of being requested by Centrelink to nominate an account. Centrelink makes this request when the person lodges their claim.
Exception: A person is not subject to this provision if they have been granted an exemption that entitles them to receive cheque payments.
Policy reference: SS Guide 8.4 Payment Methods
A CAP (1.1.C.250) may not be payable to a person if they, or their partner:
Explanation: It is a fundamental principle of the social security system that people who are unable to work because of a compensable injury are prevented from receiving income support from both the social security and compensation systems for the same period.
Act reference: SSAct Part 3.14 Compensation recovery
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.9 Compensation Provisions, 4.13 Compensation, 6.4 Compensation Recovery
A payment may not be payable to a person who has been requested to do something by Centrelink, and who fails to do so without an acceptable reason in the specified timeframe.
Example: A person may be asked to contact Centrelink, attend an interview, or attend a medical examination in connection with their claim.
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.3 Notification & Recipient Obligations
Multiple entitlement exclusion provisions prevent more than one income support payment (section 23(1)-'income support payment') being paid to a person at the same time. The income support payments that affect payability for a specific payment differ between payments, but the principle remains the same. Income support payments affecting payability may be from either this Department, or another Commonwealth agency.
Example: The following may preclude payment of a social security payment:
The specific multiple entitlement provisions that apply to each payment are explained in the topic on payability, within the payment in Part 3 of the SS Guide.
A person should ALWAYS be paid the most appropriate payment for their circumstances.
Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'income support payment'
Policy reference: SS Guide Part 3 Qualification & Payability
_______________________________________________________
Last reviewed: 1 March 2010
