Special Disability Trust (SDT) - initial contact 043-04070000

The proposed sole beneficiary must be assessed to decide if they are eligible when a person or representative contacts:

• to see if a new trust (yet to be established) or an existing trust will be considered an SDT, or
• to request a beneficiary assessment for the sole purpose of seeking a land tax exemption

If the person is making general enquiries, refer them to a Financial Information Service Officer (FISO) who can discuss any potential impacts on social security entitlements, as well as broader financial implications.

If a person is considering a contribution to an SDT, recommend they seek professional advice via their financial advisor, solicitor and/or accountant. There could be tax implications involved in this decision and the person needs to consider carefully the effect it may have on their financial security.

Does the person want to discuss an SDT with a Financial Information Service (FIS) Officer?

• Yes, see Referring customers to FIS
• No:
• Refer general questions to the Services Australia website.
  Publications are also available at Department of Social Services
• If contact is to check potential eligibility for either an SDT or to seek a land tax exemption, or about the progress of an outstanding assessment of a beneficiary or Trust, go to Step 2
• Otherwise, refer to the start of this step.
  Procedure ends here for the Service Officer

If the person who has made contact is:

• an individual, go to Step 3
• a third party, such as a financial adviser, go to Step 5

Does the person who made contact have a customer record (CRN)?

• Yes, and the enquiry is for more in depth information about eligibility, requesting assessment of the beneficiary or enquiring about the progress of a Special Disability Trust assessment:
• refer to a Complex Assessment Officer (in the SDT team) via Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Complex Assessment > Request for CAO action > CAO Special Disability Trust
• include notes about whether contact is for assessment of a beneficiary, or progress of an existing assessment (check whether any documents have been scanned)
• No, go to Step 4

If the person who made contact does not have a record (CRN):

• tell them a specialist will return their call from a private number
• send an email to the Complex Assessments Service Delivery Support Team. Include the person’s:
• full name, and
• contact number

Procedure ends here.

Does the organisation have a record (CRN)?

• Yes:
• Refer to a Complex Assessment Officer (in the SDT team) via Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Complex Assessment > Request for CAO action > CAO Special Disability Trust
• Include notes about whether contact is for assessment of a beneficiary, or progress of an existing assessment (check whether any documents have been scanned)
• Procedure ends here
• No:
• Tell them that a specialist will return their call from a private number
• Send an email to the Complex Assessments Service Delivery Support Team with details of the contact. Include the callers full name and contact number
• Procedure ends here