Assessing independence when a customer is self-supporting through full-time paid employment 001-04060040

Scenario

Description

1

Independent - full-time employment of on average 30 hours per week for at least 18 months during any period of 2 years

William left secondary school 2 years ago and worked full-time as a sales assistant for 6 months before doing a 6 month TAFE course. After completing a TAFE course, William returned to full-time employment for 12 months.

William meets the self-supporting provisions and would qualify as independent on the grounds of having worked full-time for 18 months during a period of 2 years.

2

Independent Special safety net criteria

Kate, 19, left school 4 years ago after having completed year 10. Kate left home at the same time and receives no financial assistance from her parents.

Kate has been working full-time for the last 6 months as a bar attendant and previously had worked full-time for 3 months as a sales assistant. Prior to this Kate was employed for 3 months full-time as a kitchen hand.

Kate qualifies as independent under the special safety net criteria due to being unskilled and having left school before completing year 12.

Note: not available for ABSTUDY customers.

3

Income received from Board and lodgings

Harry, a Youth Allowance (YA) customer and homeowner, has taken in a boarder to help pay the bills.

This board is not paid in lieu of employment income, and therefore is unable to be used as income for the independence criteria.

Note: a portion of income from boarders and lodgers is assessed as income.

4

Board and lodgings in lieu of employment income

Joe is studying at University, and tutors other students. In return for this tutoring, Joe is receiving free board and lodgings.

The value as determined by the contract can be used as income for the purpose of independence, as the board and lodgings was in lieu of employment income. The board and lodgings do not affect Joe's Centrelink payment, as it is not treated as income.

5

Independent - self-supporting and workers' compensation

Chris received workers' compensation from 17 July 2017 to 21 November 2017, with periodic payments of $287.10. Chris last worked on 1 July 2017, the day of the injury (as supplied on the separation certificate signed by the employer).

Chris is no longer employed. On 22 January 2018, Chris was paid annual leave of approximately 9 days but was unsure if this was from leave prior to Workcover period or accrued leave whilst receiving Workcover. While on Workcover Chris moved to Melbourne returning to the parental home and the employer took this to mean Chris walked out of the apprenticeship. Chris wants to use the compensation amount to go towards being assessed for independence.

Chris was employed during this time and if it were not for the injury (or lack of sick leave entitlements) would have continued to work and be paid by the employer.

Centrelink will assess the value of the compensation payments as an entitlement arising from paid work, therefore it will be assessed as contributing towards the income amount required for independence under s1067A(10)(c) of the Act.

Scenario

Description

1

Start Date of Independence for current customers

Shelby's claim for YA is granted in February 2022. On 25 May 2022, Shelby lodges evidence to be assessed as independent under the self-supporting criteria. On 20 June 2022, a Service Officer assesses Shelby's independence documents and determines that they met the independent criteria from March 2022.

The Service Officer codes Shelby's start date for independence as 25 May 2022 as this is the date the information was provided to the agency.

2

Start Date of Independence for New Claim

Shelby lodges an online claim for YA on 15 February 2022. Shelby lodges supporting documentation to meet independence under the self-supporting criteria. A Service Officer assesses Shelby's new claim on the 20 March 2022.

The Service Officer codes Shelby's YA start date and independence start date from the date they qualified on 15 February 2022.