Initial contact for an early claim for family assistance and Parental Leave Pay (PPL) 007-01010020

Customers can make a claim for PPL and/or FTB. If the customer indicates they are not intending to claim PPL or if they are not eligible for PPL, their entitlement to Newborn Supplement (NBS) and Newborn Upfront payment (NBU) will be automatically assessed with their FTB claim. See Claim choice for a newborn or adopted child.

Note: PPL will be counted as ordinary income for calculating the rate of Income Support Payments (ISP).

Customers who receive (or are intending to claim an ISP) should carefully consider the impact PPL will have on their ISP when making their claim choice.

Claims can be lodged up to 97 days before a child's expected date of birth or entrustment to care as part of an adoption process. For children born or adopted before 1 July 2023, secondary/ tertiary PPL customers can also claim in this period if they intend taking over primary care within 12 months for a PPL transfer.

Encourage customers to complete an online claim for family assistance and PPL, this is the preferred option as it provides a streamlined experience.

Use the online estimators to calculate their potential family assistance entitlement.

Issue a Save time - claim online (11593). Offer onsite self-services.

While online accounts should be promoted, some customers may be unable or unsuitable to complete an online claim.

For a family deemed unable or unsuitable to complete an online claim, a verbal claim for family assistance and Parental Leave Pay (PPL) may be appropriate. Assisted Customer Claim (ACC) and a verbal signature declaration may be accepted for these customers. See Online or Assisted Customer Claim (ACC) for family assistance and Parental Leave Pay (PPL).

Extra assistance is available to help remote Indigenous customers claiming family assistance and PPL.

If the customer is not already registered for online services, see How users create a myGov account and link services.

Is it reasonable for the customer to claim online?

• Yes, ensure the customer has 'active' online account access before directing them to claim online. Tell the customer that when they submit the online claim, they will be asked to provide further information or documentation, including proof of the child's birth
• No, consider if a verbal claim may be appropriate. Otherwise:
• if the customer has provided new contact details, complete the Change in Contact Details workflow first, and
• use the Mail Forms workflow to issue a Claim for Parental Leave Pay and Family Tax Benefit (FA100) to the customer. Record details on a DOC as to why it is unreasonable for the customer to claim online

To make an effective early claim, the customer must lodge their claim within the allowable early claim period and provide:

• information for the residence assessment for customers claiming FTB and PPL (including evidence, where requested)
• Tax File Number (TFN) details
• bank account details
• expected date of birth

For PPL claims, the customer must also provide:

• information about how the customer meets the PPL work test and the PPL income test
• their employer's Australian Business Number (ABN) (customers should discuss with their employer, and obtain the correct ABN to use for their PPL claim). See Role of the employer in Parental Leave Pay (PPL)

For children born before 1 July 2023, primary claimants must also provide primary care dates and a nominated start date for their PPL period, if they are entitled to one.

What happens once an early claim is lodged?

Once the customer submits an online claim, verbal claim, Family Declaration Form or the FA100 they will be contacted if any additional information is needed for their claim to be assessed.

The customer will be sent a letter to advise the outcome of their early claim.

Assessed pending proof of birth

Tell the customer to provide proof of the child's birth. The easiest way for parents to provide proof of their child's birth is to go online or use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app and upload the Doctor/Midwife Proof of Birth declaration on the back page of the Newborn Child Declaration (FA081) issued to them in the Parent Pack by the hospital or midwife.

For children born before 1 July 2023:

• For PPL to be paid from the date of birth or entry into care, the customer must lodge an effective claim with their child’s proof of birth or entry into care details within 28 days of the birth or entry into care
• The 28 day period commences the day after the date of birth or entry into care. If the customer lodges their claim or provides the required information after the 28 days, the earliest possible PPL period start date is the date of claim

For children born or adopted on or after 1 July 2023:

• Where a customer claims Parental Leave Pay proof or birth or entry into care must be provided within 56 days of the child’s birth or entry into care otherwise the claim will be made Not Effective (NEF)
• If proof or birth or entry into care is provided, a customer can have their PPL days backdated up to 100 days in the past, but not before the child’s date of birth or entry into care

For PPL, the customer will be sent a reminder letter 14 days after the PPL nominated start date to provide proof of birth.

FTB customers claiming PPL should be advised that when their PPL claim is assessed pending proof of birth, FTB Part B will cease from the expected date of birth or entry into care, to reduce possible risk of overpayment.

See Receipt of claims, forms and documentation for family assistance.

For more information, see:

• Checking the status of an early claim for family assistance and Paid Parental Leave scheme payments
• Pre-processing checks for standalone and combined claims for family assistance and/or Paid Parental Leave payments
• Processing proof of a child's birth