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Note: There have been no new grants of MAA since 20 September 2003 and the payment was completely phased out in September 2009. The following information is for historical purposes only.
The following table lists the circumstances in which payment of MAA may change.
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Payment of MAA is… |
Until/when… |
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continued, |
a recipient: - loses basic qualification, OR - transfers to another payment, OR - fails to comply with a notification requirement, OR - is required to lodge a continuation form for a specified period and fails to lodge, OR - the allowance becomes not payable for other reasons. |
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suspended or cancelled, |
a recipient: - no longer qualifies for the payment or it is no longer payable, OR - has been requested to bring in a document relevant to their payment and they fail to do so. |
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varied, |
- there is a change in recipient circumstances, OR - there is a change in partner circumstances, OR - the partner starts to receive a different social security benefit, OR - the amount of MAA being paid is incorrect. |
Where necessary, these circumstances are explained in more detail in the rest of this topic.
Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 90 Automatic cancellations - transfer to new payment type
Normally suspension of MAA occurs for very short periods of time.
Example: When a recipient is imprisoned for less than 7 days.
MAA can be restored and paid to the recipient if they subsequently meet the qualification and payability criteria. However, if payment is cancelled, it cannot be re-granted and the person will need to claim a different payment if they again need income support.
If MAA has become payable and is then cancelled for any reason, the recipient cannot reclaim MAA unless the decision to cancel is overturned following review.
Explanation: As part of AWT, MAA cannot be granted from 20 September 2003.
The estate of a deceased MAA recipient is NOT entitled to one further instalment after the death of the recipient. However, payment should be made up to and including the date of death, to the person best entitled to receive it.
If the recipient was a member of a couple (1.1.M.120), the partner may qualify for some bereavement assistance.
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5 Bereavement Payment Provisions
If the recipient is a member of a couple and their partner dies, the recipient may qualify for some bereavement assistance as outlined in the following table.
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If the recipient qualified for MAA … |
Then they have the same bereavement assistance that apply to… |
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before 1 July 1996, |
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after 1 July 1996, |
NSA. |
Act reference: SSAct section 660XKA Qualification for payments under this subdivision, section 660YKA Surviving partner and deceased partner
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.4.1.10 Qualification for Age, 3.4.2.10 Qualification for WP, 3.2.1.10 Qualification for NSA
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Last reviewed: 7 December 2009
