Disbursement interview for Voluntary Income Management 103-01190060

Customers can request a Disbursement interview to discuss how they will manage ongoing expenses and how residual funds will be paid out when Income Management (IM) ends.

If a customer does not attend a Disbursement interview or make contact with the agency when IM ends, the Auto Disbursement rules are used.

VIM will end in the following circumstances:

• the customer is no longer receiving a category H welfare payment
• the customer no longer meets the legislative requirements for VIM
• the customer requests to terminate their Agreement
• the customer becomes eligible for enhanced Income Management under a measure higher in the hierarchy of Income Management and enhanced Income Management measures
• the customer has an excluded payment nominee for Income Management purposes
• the agency terminates the Voluntary Income Management Agreement if certain events occur, or
• the customer has passed away

Eligible customers can end Voluntary Income Management online via their Centrelink Online Account or by speaking to an IM trained Service Officer.

The following will be discussed with customers who request to attend a Disbursement interview:

• if appropriate, how any residual income managed funds will be disbursed, including confirmation of bank details
• using Centrepay or the Rent Deduction Scheme to meet ongoing expenses
• eligibility for enhanced Income Management
• continued use of their BasicsCard for up to 60 days after IM ends
• the option to appoint a payment nominee, and
• where to find information to help manage their finances. A customer can visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/managingmoney for useful information and resources

To prepare for a Disbursement interview, a Service Officer must:

• check if the customer requires an interpreter. If required, refer to Booking an interpreter for an appointment
• investigate the record to determine whether the customer is eligible for a measure of enhanced Income Management including Voluntary enhanced Income Management (VeIM), or is likely to become eligible in the near future
• check the customer's available income managed funds
• check if the customer has an active BasicsCard and the current balance
• check the record for any vulnerability indicators as the customer may benefit from a referral to a social worker, and
• have the relevant communication products on hand (for example, eIM information, Centrepay information, Nominee forms)