3.6.1.70 Supplementary Benefits & Employment Assistance for DSP Recipients

Other departmental benefits

DSP recipients may also qualify for the following benefits, if they meet the relevant qualification criteria:

mobility allowance,
rent assistance,
pension supplement (see Note 1),
remote area allowance,
crisis payment,
education entry payment,
pensioner concession card,
CDEP participant supplement (CPS),
incentive allowance,
pensioner education supplement,
bereavement assistance,
youth disability supplement,
PhA, TAL, UA (see Note 2), and
work for the dole supplement.

Note 1: DSP recipients who are over 21, or are under 21 and have dependent children, may be eligible for pension supplement.

Note 2: DSP recipients who are under 21 and without dependent children may be eligible for PhA, TAL and UA.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.6 MOB - Qualification & Payability, 3.8 Supplementary Benefits - Qualification & Payability, 3.12.1 Pension Supplement - Qualification & Payability, 3.9 Concession Cards - Qualification Provisions, 3.7.4 CrP - Qualification & Payability, 3.8.6 EdEP - Qualification & Payability, 3.2.9.60 Suitable Activity - Work for the Dole

NSA provisional

Applicants who are awaiting determination of their claim for DSP may claim NSA as an interim measure. This is known as NSA provisional.

Act reference: SSAct section 593(1B) Qualification for NSA

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.60 NSA Provisional - Payment to DSP Claimants

Employment assistance

DSP recipients are actively encouraged to participate in the workforce, training and the community.

DSP recipients can volunteer to participate in an employment service if they would like assistance to prepare for, find or maintain work. The Commonwealth Government funds a number of employment assistance services including JSA, DES and Australian Disability Enterprises.

DES provides support and assistance to people with a disability, injury or health condition to help prepare them for, find and keep a job. DES provides 2 support services:

Disability Management Service, and
Employment Support Service.

DSP recipients requiring and receiving a high or moderate level of ongoing support from an ESS provider to maintain their employment will continue to demonstrate a CITW for DSP eligibility purposes. Recipients receiving flexible ongoing support from a DMS or ESS provider will be considered to be working independently of a program of support (1.1.I.95) and will not have a CITW.

Referral to a Commonwealth funded employment assistance service is an administrative decision and is not made under the SSAct.

Recipients may pursue issues relating to the provision of these services through the mechanisms that the providers set up for this purpose.

Policy reference: SSGuide 3.6.1.12 Qualification for DSP - 15 Hour Rule, 3.6.2.112 DSP Assessment of Continuing Inability to Work - 15 Hour Rule

Employment incentives

DSP recipients who participate in employment may receive the following incentives to take up a job:

suspension of DSP payment for up to 2 years, rather than cancellation upon a return to work,
continued use of their PCC for 12 months,
accelerated restoration of DSP following reduction or cessation in employment within 2 years,
access to working credits,
payment of certain supplementary benefits during the employment income nil rate period, and
a higher rate of MOB.

Note:

DSP permanent blindness recipients can accrue and deplete working credits if their income details are obtained for the purpose of paying RA.
Supported wages are employment income (1.1.E.102) that can be offset by working credits.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(4A) Despite subsection (4)…, section 23(4AA) For the purposes of subsection (4A)…, section 1073J Working credit balance prevents loss of qualification in certain cases

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.1.20 Qualification for DSP during Employment - 30 Hour Rule, 3.6.1.22 Qualification for DSP during Employment - 15 Hour Rule, 3.6.1.50 Payability of DSP, 3.6.1.100 Continuation, Variation or Termination of DSP - 30 Hour Rule, 3.6.1.102 Continuation, Variation or Termination of DSP - 15 Hour Rule, 3.1.11 Working Credit, 3.1.12 Employment Income Nil Rate Period, 3.9.2.30 PCC due to Employment

Continence aids assistance scheme

Recipients who receive DSP or MOB may also be entitled to receive assistance under the CAAS. Enquires regarding the scheme should be directed to DoHA.

Explanation: The CAAS is administered by DoHA, and can provide free aids and appliances to qualifying persons. The scheme is targeted to people in receipt of DSP or MOB who have a permanent problem with their bladder or bowel, which has resulted from a severe disability.

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Last reviewed: 5 September 2011

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