Initial contact by customers claiming Single Income Family Supplement (SIFS) 007-10010010

For eligibility criteria and the grandfathering provisions that apply from 1 July 2017, see Single Income Family Supplement (SIFS).

SIFS can be paid from July 2013 for the 2012-13 financial year to 30 June 2017 for new and existing recipients. For the financial years 2017-18 onwards, SIFS is only payable to existing recipients if the grandfathering provisions are met. Families have 12 months from the end of an entitlement year to lodge their SIFS claim, for example, by 30 June 2021 for the 2019-20 financial year.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) recipient?

Did the person (or their partner) receive FTB instalments in the assessment year, or have they lodged an FTB lump sum claim for the assessment year?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, go to Step 3

SIFS entitlement for any period(s) in the assessment year that the person was entitled to FTB is automatically calculated during FTB reconciliation or when their FTB lump sum claim is assessed. To check details, see Customer enquires about FTB reconciliation or lump sum claim.

If the person had a SIFS qualifying child in their care but was not entitled to FTB for that period, they will need to lodge a separate claim for SIFS to receive SIFS for that period.

Does the person wish to claim SIFS for a non-FTB period?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, procedure ends here

Tell the person they can access their Centrelink online account to submit an online claim for SIFS, unless they are claiming after 30 June of the lodgement year. Access to the online claim is not available after the end of the relevant lodgement year.

See the Resources page for a link to the Services Australia website.

Does the person wish to claim online?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, go to Step 5.

Check that the person is registered online.

To help them with their claim, see Online claim for SIFS.

When they submit their claim, they will be advised of any additional information or documentation they will need to provide.

If the customer lodges documentation to support their online claim, go to Step 6.

For customers unable or unsuitable to complete an online claim:

• complete an ACC with the customer and a verbal signature declaration. This includes where the customer is seeking to claim in the extended lodgement year
• Advise the customer of any documents they may need to finalise the claim

Note: if the person is seeking to claim in the extended lodgement year after the customer has lodged a claim (or ACC has been completed), see Assessing special circumstances extensions for families unable to meet lodgement and other specific requirements for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Single Income Family Supplement (SIFS).

If the person (or their partner/ex-partner):

• is required to lodge a tax return for the assessment year, the claim cannot be finalised until taxable income details are provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
• is not required to lodge a tax return, they will need to provide a reasonable estimate of their taxable income as part of their claim. Income details may still be checked with the ATO

Adequate income details must be provided by 30 June of the lodgement year If a person or their partner is prevented from confirming their income by the end of the lodgement year, a special circumstances income confirmation extension may be granted. If income details are not confirmed within the allowable period, SIFS is not payable.

Check Tax File Number (TFN) requirements are met. If necessary, see Helping customers obtain a TFN for Family Assistance.

Check that partner or ex-partner details have been provided if applicable.

Smart Centre Processing, see Processing SIFS claims.