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Components of the Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) test 108-03020020

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This document outlines details to determine the appropriate tax year for the non-customer Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) test and apply the components of the CRIA test.

On this page:

Determine the appropriate tax year for a CRIA test

Income assessment for non-customer CRIA test

Disabled children and adults income details

Income details

Identify the person and their assets

Review and finalise asset assessment

Determine the assets that are exempt from CRIA test

Determine the appropriate tax year for a CRIA test

Table 1

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Step

Action

1

Determine the base tax year

Identify the current calendar year.

The base tax year is the financial year that ended on 30 June in the calendar year before the current calendar year.

For example, for claims lodged in 2010, the base tax year will be the 2008/2009 financial year.

2

Changes since the end of the base tax year

Has the care receiver or have the assessable persons in the assessment had a change in circumstances or a change in income or assets since the end of the base tax year?

Note: the care receiver's income or assets include those of all assessable persons. Income and assets received from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are not counted. For more information, see Table 2.

  • Yes, go to Step 3
  • No, the appropriate tax year to use for the assessment is the base tax year. Go to Table 2

3

The care receiver's income or assets have changed since the base tax year

Is it a decrease in either income or assets?

4

The care receiver's income or assets have decreased since the base tax year

Is this a claim?

5

Carer is claiming Carer Payment (CP)

Does the care receiver's taxable income for the base year exceed the care receiver income threshold?

For care receivers income thresholds see the Carer Payment (CP) - Care Receiver Income and Asset Limits link on the Rates and Thresholds page.

  • Yes, the appropriate tax year is the current financial year. Obtain a written estimate for the current financial year on the Carer Payment Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a) form, or the Carer Payment Income and assets details - child being cared for - under 16 years (SA304c) form
    • If the current tax year will be used, the earliest date to assess qualification for CP is the day on which the written request was given. Go to Table 2
  • No, go to Table 2

6

Care receiver's income or assets have increased since the base tax year

Is this a claim?

  • Yes, an increase in taxable income since the base tax year is not relevant (unless CP was being paid at the time of the increase, to this carer or any other carer). Go to Table 2
  • No, go to Step 7

7

Care receiver's assets or taxable income have increased while CP is being paid

The care receiver should be asked to complete a SA304a or SA304c as appropriate to provide an estimate of their taxable income for the year in which the change in income first occurred and the following financial year (which may be a future financial year after the current financial year).

If the estimated taxable income for either of these years is over the care receiver income threshold, then CP qualification is based on the care receiver's estimated taxable income for that financial year instead of their taxable income for the base tax year.

Any change in assets should also be assessed against the care receiver assets test limit. For care receiver income thresholds and asset limits see the Carer Payment (CP) - Care Receiver Income and Asset Limits link on the Rates and Thresholds page.

Record the details on a DOC.

Go to Table 2.


Income assessment for non-customer CRIA test

Table 2: identifying the income details required for assessment

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Step

Action

1

Eligibility assessment

Is the care receiver a higher Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score adult receiving a social security pension or benefit, or income tested payment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) (excluding ABSTUDY)?

or

Is the care receiver a higher ADAT score adult not being paid a social security pension or income tested payment from DVA only due to not having been an Australian resident for long enough?

This means, the customer has met all other requirements, such as incapacity for Disability Support Pension (DSP) and has passed the income and asset tests applicable to each type of payment.

Note: this does not apply:

  • if the care receiver is a non-protected Special Class Visa (SCV) holder who is not receiving either a social security pension or benefit, or income tested payment from DVA, or
  • if the care receiver would only meet the residential qualifications for a social security benefit

See the Resources page in Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) benefits and services overview for information about DVA payments.

  • Yes, the income and assets tests do not apply. Procedure ends here
  • No, go to Step 2

2

Consider care receiver's income

The care receiver's income is to be considered under the non-customer Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) test.

These tests apply to both adult and child care receivers.

Details regarding the care receiver income and assets tests are listed in the Social Security Act. See the References page.

Is the care receiver an adult?

3

Care receiver is a child

Identify when the Carer Payment - income and assets of the child being cared for under 16 (SA304c) should be issued in the case of a child care receiver.

Carer is the parent/legal guardian

If the carer or their partner is the parent or legal guardian of the child being cared for, they are asked on the claim form to provide the family's taxable income details for the base tax year in order to apply the care receiver income test.

The carer will need to complete the SA304c if the base tax year amount declared on the claim is:

  • under the limit by $5,000 or less, or
  • over the limit and there has been a reduction, or
  • the family assets amount is over the care receiver's assets test limit. For care receiver income thresholds and asset limits see the Carer Payment (CP) - Care Receiver Income and Asset Limits link on the Rates and Thresholds page

Carer or their partner is not the parent/legal guardian

  • If the carer or their partner is not a parent or legal guardian of the child being cared for and the child does live with their parent or guardian, the parent or legal guardian must complete the SA304c
  • If the carer or their partner is not the parent or legal guardian of the child being cared for and the child does not live with their parent or guardian, a SA304c should be issued if the carer states on the claim form that the child has any income, assets or interest in a trust

4

Identify whose income should be included in the assessment

If the care receiver qualifies under the pre 1 July 2009 grandfathering provisions, is the care receiver:

  • a single person (a disabled adult without a partner or children, or a profoundly disabled child who does not live with a parent or guardian), go to Step 5
  • a disabled adult who is a member of a couple, go to Step 6
  • a profoundly disabled child who lives with a parent or guardian, see Step 1 in Table 3
  • 1 of 2 or more children who together require the care of a profoundly disabled child, but who do not live with a parent/guardian, see Step 2 in Table 3
  • 1 of 2 or more children who together require the equivalent care of a profoundly disabled child and who live with a parent/guardian, see Step 3 in Table 3
  • a Lower ADAT Score Adult and their dependent child, see Step 4 in Table 3

If the care receiver qualifies under the post 1 July 2009 rules, is the care receiver:

  • a single person, or a child with a severe disability or severe medical condition, who does not live with a parent or guardian, go to Step 5
  • a disabled adult who is a member of a couple, go to Step 6
  • a child with a severe disability or severe medical condition who does live with a parent/guardian, see Step 1 in Table 3
  • 1 of 2 to 4 children, each with a disability or medical condition, who does not live with a parent or guardian, see Step 2 in Table 3
  • 1 of 2 to 4 children each with a disability or medical condition, who do live with a parent/guardian, see Step 3 in Table 3
  • a disabled adult and 1 or 2 children with a disability or medical condition, see Step 4 in Table 3

5

Single care receivers

For the non-customer single care receiver income test, only their own income is to be included in the assessment.

If the child being cared for does not live with a parent or legal guardian, only the income and assets of the child are assessed.

Contact the carer:

  • explain that details of the care receiver's income and assets are required and a Carer Payment - Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a) or Carer Payment - Income and assets details - child or children being cared for - under 16 years (SA304c) will be sent, which must be completed before Carer Payment can be granted
  • if the carer has provided a new address for the care receiver the care receiver's address can be updated
  • if the care receiver is 16 years or over, issue a SA304a to the care receiver or carer, or
  • if there is no record for the care receiver, the SA304a can be sent to the carer
  • if the care receiver is under 16 years, issue a SA304c to the carer
  • record all action, including contact with the carer on a DOC

See Step 7 in Table 3.

6

Disabled adult who is a member of a couple

For the non-customer adult care receiver who is a member of a couple, the income of both the disabled adult and their partner is to be included in the assessment.

Issue a Carer Payment - Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a).

See Step 7 in Table 3.


Disabled children and adults income details

Table 3: identifying the income details required for an adult or child with a disability

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Step

Action

1

Profoundly disabled child (pre 1 July 2009 rules), or child with a severe medical condition or severe disability (post 1 July 2009 rules) who lives with a parent or guardian

For the non-customer care receiver income test for the child with a disability who lives with a parent or guardian, the following income is to be included in the assessment:

  • their own
  • their parent's or guardian's
  • the parent's or guardian's partner's, if applicable
  • any other Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the disabled child's parents or guardians

Go to Step 7.

2

Two or more disabled children who do not live with a parent or guardian

For the non-customer care receiver Income Test for 2 or more children, who together require the equivalent care of a profoundly disabled child (pre 1 July 2009 rules), or 2 to 4 children, each with a disability or medical condition (post 1 July 2009 rules), but who do not live with a parent/guardian, the following income is to be included in the assessment:

  • disabled child 1
  • disabled child 2, 3, 4 as applicable
  • any other disabled children

Contact the carer:

  • explain that details of the children's income and assets are required and a form will be sent which must be completed before Carer Payment can be granted
  • issue a Carer Payment - Income and assets details – child or children being cared for - under 16 years (SA304c), this will be sent to the carer
  • record all action, including contact with the carer on a DOC

Go to Step 7.

3

Two or more disabled children who do live with a parent or guardian

For the non-customer care receiver Income Test for 2 or more children, who together require the equivalent care of a profoundly disabled child (pre 1 July 2009 rules), or 2 to 4 children, each with a disability or medical condition (post 1 July 2009 rules), and who live with a parent/guardian, the following income and is be included in the assessment:

  • disabled child 1
  • disabled child 2, 3, 4 as applicable
  • any other disabled children
  • their parent or guardian
  • the parent or guardian's partner, if applicable
  • any other FTB children of the disabled child's parent/guardians

Go to Step 7.

4

A lower ADAT score adult and their dependent child, or a disabled adult and 1 or 2 children

For the non-customer CRIA test for a Lower ADAT Score Adult and their dependent child (pre 1 July 2009 rules) or a for a disabled adult and 1 or 2 children (post 1 July rules), the following income is to be included in the assessment:

  • the lower ADAT score adult (pre 1 July 2009 rules), or the disabled adult (post 1 July 2009 rules)
  • the disabled child/ren
  • the partner of the disabled adult, if applicable
  • any other FTB children of the disabled child/ren's parents/guardians

Issue a Carer Payment - Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a).

5

Has the Carer Payment - Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a) been returned?

6

Exempt from payments due to length of time as an Australian resident

On return of the form, check that the care receiver does not have an entitlement to a social security pension or an income tested payment from DVA, solely due to not having been an Australian resident for required period of time.

Note: this means they have met all other requirements such as incapacity for DSP and have passed the income and asset tests applicable to each type of payment.

(This exemption does not apply if the customer would only meet the residential qualifications for a social security benefit)

Is the care receiver precluded from a social security pension or an income tested payment from DVA solely due to not having been an Australian resident for required period of time?

  • Yes, the income and assets tests do not apply, procedure ends here
  • No, go to Step 7

7

Income ceiling

Compare the income ceiling with the income total identified above.

Note: income is assessed as the taxable income for the base tax year.

Does the income in the base tax year exceed the income ceiling?


Income details

Table 4: income details required for different situations.

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Step

Action

1

The care receiver's income in the base tax year exceeds the income ceiling

If the income in the base tax year exceeds the limit and there has been a decrease since the base tax year, and the care receiver has provided a written estimate of their current year income, the appropriate tax year is the current financial year. If the current tax year will be used, the earliest date to assess qualification for CP is the day on which the written request was given.

Has the care receiver indicated in writing that there has been a change in taxable income since the base tax year and that a decrease has occurred?

2

The care receiver's base tax year exceeds the limit and a decrease has occurred

A written estimate should be provided on the form. In these cases, if the estimated taxable income for the current financial year is within the limit, the appropriate tax year is the current financial year.

Is the care receiver's estimate of current financial year income reasonable and within the limit?

3

The care receiver's base tax year income does not exceed limit

Is someone currently receiving Carer Payment (CP) for this care receiver?

4

Carer Payment is current for this care receiver

Has the care receiver's income increased since the base tax year due to a notifiable event which occurred while the person was receiving CP?

A notifiable event is any event that occurs while CP is being paid that causes the care receiver's (or other assessable person's) income to increase since the base tax year.

5

Care receiver's income has increased due to a notifiable event which occurred while CP was being paid

On the form an estimate of the taxable income for the financial year in which the event or increase first occurred, and for the financial year following.

Does the taxable income exceed the limit in either the financial year in which the event or increase first occurred, or in the financial year following that year?

  • Yes, the appropriate tax year has changed to the year in which the income exceeds the income limit. The date of effect for the change is the date the notifiable event occurred. The date of receipt is the date that the carer or care receiver notified. Go to Step 6
  • No, go to Table 5

6

Base tax year income or current year estimate exceeds limit

The carer is not qualified for CP, where:

  • the base tax year income used to apply the care receiver income test exceeds the limit and the current year estimate provided in writing also exceeds the limit, or
  • the care receiver's taxable income (or that of the care receiver's family if the child lives with their parent or legal guardian) has increased while CP has been paid, and the estimated taxable income for either the year of the increase or the subsequent financial year exceeds the limit

Reject the CP claim or cancel CP using the Care Receiver Income and Asset (CRIA) screen.

If the care receiver is the carer's partner, as the system is incorrectly granting CP, refer the case to the Level 2 Policy Help Desk for advice.

Note: since the December 2009 systems release the CRIA screen must be coded for a CP (child) claim with a date of receipt on or after 6 December.

Procedure ends here.


Identify the person and their assets

Table 5: This table describes the details required to apply the assets test component of the non-customer Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) test.

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Step

Action

1

Identify the persons whose assets are to be included in the assessment

Qualification for Carer Payment (CP) (child) changed on 1 July 2009. For detailed information about grandfathering provisions for CP (child), see Transitional rules for Carer Payment (CP) (child) 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010.

If the care receiver:

  • is a higher Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score adult, without a partner or a profoundly disabled child (under pre 1 July 2009 grandfathering provisions), or a child with a severe disability, or severe medical condition under post 1 July 2009 rules, who does not live with a parent/guardian), go to Step 2
  • is an adult, with a higher ADAT score who is a member of a couple, go to Step 3
  • is a profoundly disabled child (under pre 1 July 2009 grandfathering provisions) or a child with a severe disability or severe medical condition under post 1 July 2009 rules, who lives with a parent/guardian, go to Step 4
  • has two or more children who together require the care of a profoundly disabled child (under the pre 1 July 2009 grandfathering provisions), or two to four children each with a disability or medical condition (combined care) under post 1 July 2009 rules, but who do not live with a parent/guardian, go to Step 5
  • has two or more children who together require the care of a profoundly disabled child (under the pre 1 July 2009 grandfathering provisions), or two to four children each with a disability or medical condition (combined care) under post 1 July 2009 rules, and who live with a parent/guardian, go to Step 6
  • is a Lower ADAT Score Adult with a dependent child, or a disabled adult and one or two children with a disability or medical condition (multiple care) under post July 2009 rules, go to Step 7

2

Assets assessment

For the care receiver assets test, all of the following person's assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • the adult with a disability
  • any Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the care receiver

The care receiver assets test includes assets within and outside Australia and the value of the asset is the net market value. Assets that are exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA assessment.

Go to Table 6.

3

Adult and their partner's assets

For the care receiver assets test, all of the following person's assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • the adult with a disability
  • their partner
  • any Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the care receiver or partner

The care receiver assets test includes assets within and outside Australia and the value of the asset is the net market value. Assets that are exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Go to Table 6.

4

The assets to be included in the assessment

For the care receiver assets test, all of the following person's assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • their own
  • their parent/legal guardian
  • the parent/legal guardian's partner, if applicable
  • any other Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the child care receiver's parent/legal guardian (or their current partner if applicable)

Calculate the total assets in this situation. The care receiver assets test includes their and their parent's/legal guardian's partner (if applicable) and the assets of any other FTB children within and outside Australia. Assets exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Go to Table 6.

5

Assets of child/children with a disability

For the care receiver assets test, the following persons' assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • the child with a disability - child 1
  • any other children with a disability included in the income assessment

Calculate the total assets in this situation. The care receiver assets test includes the assets of the children with the disability within and outside Australia. Assets exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Go to Table 6.

6

Disabled child/children, their parent/legal guardian and any other FTB children

For the care receiver assets test, the following persons' assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • the child with a disability - child 1
  • any other children with a disability
  • their parent/legal guardian
  • the parent/legal guardian's partner, if applicable
  • any other Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the child care receiver's parent/legal guardian (or their current partner if applicable)

Calculate the total assets in this situation. The care receiver assets test includes their and their parent's/legal guardian's partner (if applicable) and the assets of any other FTB children within and outside Australia. The value of the asset is the net market value. Assets exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Go to Table 6.

7

Low ADAT score adult, disabled adult, dependent child, partner and any other FTB children

For the care receiver assets test, the following persons' assets are to be included in the assessment:

  • the lower ADAT score adult or disabled adult
  • the dependent child or children
  • the partner of the adult with a disability, if applicable
  • any other Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children of the adult with a disability or their partner

Calculate the total assets in this situation. The care receiver assets test includes their and their partner (if applicable) and the assets of any other FTB children within and outside Australia. The value of the asset is the net market value. Assets exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Go to Table 6.


Review and finalise asset assessment

Table 6: This table describes the information to review and how to finalise the care receiver's asset assessment.

Expand table

Step

Action

1

Form returned

Has the Carer Payment - Income and assets details of the person being cared for - 16 years or over (SA304a) or the Carer Payment Income and asset details - child or children being cared for - under 16 years (SA304c) (if the information was not included in the claim) been returned?

2

Compare totalled assets

Compare the totalled assets to the care receiver assets test limit. For care receiver income and assets test limits see the Carer Payment (CP) - Care Receiver Income and Asset Limits link on the Rates and Thresholds page.

Do the assets exceed the cut-off?

3

Care receiver's assets do not exceed cut-off

The carer is not disqualified for Carer Payment (CP). However, they must meet all of the remaining qualification provisions to be paid.

See:

Procedure ends here.


Determine the assets that are exempt from CRIA test

Table 7: this table describes the information to determine if the care receiver is exempt from CRIA asset test.

Expand table

Step

Action

1

Conditions for exemption

A decision may be made to grant the carer an exemption from the non-customer care receiver assets test, if all of the following conditions are met:

  • There has been a request made by the carer
  • The request has asked that the non-customer care receiver assets test not be applied
  • The care receiver/carer has provided a written estimate of the appropriate taxable incomes for the current tax year. See Coding the Care Receiver Income and Assets Details (CRIA) screen
  • The estimate is accepted as being reasonable

Have all of the preceding conditions been met?

  • Yes, go to Step 2
  • No, the carer is not entitled to be exempted from the non-customer care receiver assets test and the claim should be rejected

2

Special Income Test

Calculate the income limit under the Special Income Test (SIT) to be used when a person requests an exemption from the non-customer care receiver assets test.

The income limit is:

(MBR x 2) + (639.60 x FPC)

  • MBR is the annual maximum Pension Basic Rate + Basic Supplement Amount payable, as at the last 1 January, to a person who has a partner (that is, the partnered rate)
  • FPC is normally the number of Family Tax Benefit (FTB) children who are included in the assessment excluding the child care receiver/s
  • The system automatically calculates this income limit based on the number of FTB children coded on the Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) screen. Field help helps with the definition of an FTB child

3

Liquid assets limit

Determine the liquid assets limit to be used

  • $10,000 if the care receiver/s is a member of a couple
  • $6,000 if the care receiver/s is not a member of a couple

4

Total of care receiver's assets

What is the total of the care receiver's assets?

Assets exempt under the Social Security Act are not included in the CRIA asset test.

Refer to the Rates and Thresholds page to determine the asset value range for the care receivers.

Note: the ‘medium asset value range’ refers to assets between the ‘lower asset value limit’ and the ‘higher asset value limit’.

If the total value of the value of the care receiver's assets is:

5

Care receiver's assets do not exceed assets limit (low asset value range)

No exemption is required.

Process the claim for Carer Payment (CP).

6

Care receiver's assets exceed assets limit (medium asset value range)

As the care receiver's assets are between the ‘lower asset value limit’ and the ‘higher asset value limit’, the carer may be exempted from the non-customer care receiver assets test, go to Step 8.

Due to a system issue, if the liquid assets are coded as over the allowable limit, Carer Payment (CP) will reject. The liquid assets value range will need to be changed on the Care Receiver Income and Assets (CRIA) screen to '$0 to less than $6000' to allow CP to be granted.

7

Compare income and liquid asset limits

Are the care receiver's income and liquid assets less than the limits calculated/identified in Steps 2 and 3 above?

  • Yes, go to Step 8
  • No, the carer cannot be exempted from the non-customer care receiver assets test. The claim should be rejected

8

The customer may be exempted from the non-customer care receiver assets test