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Assessing payment rates and independence for Disability Support Pension customers under 21 years 008-03140000

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Dependent rate categories

Table 1: this table contains details about the dependent rate category codes.

Code

Meaning

Check if the customer meets any independence criteria

Blank field

Note: staff must check the customer's record thoroughly as the customer may be in receipt of the adult pension rate or the dependent rate

Yes

NID

Not Independent

Yes

NLE

No longer eligible

Yes

UTN

Young person is able to live at home - UTLAH assessment completed

Yes

Independent rate categories

Table 2: this table contains details about the independent rate category codes and the relevant criteria.

Note: Service Officers must not use the PCW (Partial Capacity to Work) independence code for a DSP customer.

Code

Criteria

LAH

Aged 18 to 20 years (inclusive) and lives away from the parental home

MED

Aged 16 or 17 years and live away from the parental home due to their disability or medical condition

PBM

Are or have been married or in a registered relationship

PCH

Previously had a dependent child

PDF

Are or have been a member of a couple for at least 12 months

PDS

Are or have been a member of a couple for at least 6 months in exceptional circumstances

POR

Are an orphan

PPG

Parents cannot exercise their responsibilities. For example, in prison, mentally incapacitated, living in a nursing home or missing.

Note: in Process Direct, the descriptor for code PPG is 'Parents in gaol, asylum' but this code applies to all criteria where a parent cannot exercise responsibilities.

PRE

Are a refugee without parents in Australia and not dependent on anyone else

PSE

Paid work with cumulative earnings of at least 75% of the National Training Wage schedule (NTWS) rate in any 18 month period since last leaving secondary school

PSF

In state care supported or only left state care due to their age

PSS

Have worked an average of 30 hours per week for at least 18 months during any 2year period

PSP

Have worked part-time for at least 15 hours per week for at least 104 weeks (time worked does not have to be consecutive) since leaving secondary school

PSU

In state care, not supported

UTY

It is unreasonable for the customer to live at the parental home

Non-reviewable independence categories

Table 3: this table contains details about independence categories that are not subject to review if there is a change in customer circumstances. If a customer is current on Youth Allowance (YAL) or ABSTUDY, these categories must be checked if a customer is claiming DSP.

Code

Criteria

PBM

Are or have been married or in a registered relationship

PCH

Previously had a dependent child

PDF

Are or have been in a de facto relationship for a minimum of 12 months

PDS

Previously been in a de facto relationship for a minimum of 6 months, in special circumstances

PSS

Have worked an average of 30 hours per week for at least 18 months during any 2year period

Reviewable independence categories

Table 4: this table contains details about independence categories that are subject to review if there is a change in customer circumstances.

Code

Reason independent youth rate is reviewed

Check if customer meets any independence criteria

LAH

Young person moved back to parental home permanently

Yes

MED

Young person moved back to parental home permanently

Yes

POR

Young person becomes legally adopted

Yes

PPG
  • Parent is no longer missing
  • Parent has completed prison sentence
  • Parent recovers from mental incapacity, or
  • Parent returns home from nursing home

Yes

PRE
  • Young person's parents come to Australia, or
  • Young person becomes dependent on someone else on a long-term basis

Yes

PSF
  • Young person returns to parental home, or
  • Young person is no longer in state care (not because of age)

Yes

PSU
  • Young person returns to parental home, or
  • Young person is no longer in state care (not because of age)

Yes

UTY
  • Young person moves permanently back into the parental home, or
  • Young person receives continuous support

Yes