Assessing the pensioner study load concession for ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) 010-05090010

With the exception of the requirement to be undertaking a full-time study load, does the student meet all other eligibility criteria for:

• the ABSTUDY Tertiary Award
• the ABSTUDY Masters and Doctorate Award, or
• the Schooling B Award?
• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, see Step 5 in Table 2

Note: the pensioner study load concession is only available for the above awards, and is, in effect, only applicable to students in receipt of the ABSTUDY PES.

Is the student undertaking at least 25% of the normal full-time study load for that course?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, see Step 5 in Table 2

Is the student receiving Partner Service Pension where the partner is receiving Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Invalidity Service Pension?

• Yes, these customers are required to be full-time students in order to qualify for PES. See Step 4 in Table 2
• No, go to Step 4

Note: ask for evidence of a DVA pension to be forwarded to the appropriate ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services site.

For contact details, see Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).

Customers in receipt of the following payments can only qualify for a pensioner study load concession if they have a dependent child under the age of 16 years.

Is the student receiving one of the following payments:

• Special Benefit as a sole parent (SpB)
• DVA Defence Widow Pension
• DVA War Widow Pension, where the customer is not in receipt of a DVA Income Support Supplement due to permanent incapacity for work?
• Yes, go to Step 5
• No, go to Step 6

Note: check the student's record for details of an appropriate Services Australia payment, or ask for evidence of a DVA pension to be forwarded to the appropriate ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services site.

Does the customer have a dependent child under the age of 16 years?

• Yes, go to Step 8
• No, see Step 4 in Table 2

Is the student receiving one of the following payments:

• Disability Support Pension (DSP)
• JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or Youth Allowance (YA) with a Partial Capacity to work
• DVA Invalidity Service Pension
• War Widow Pension, where the customer both has a dependent child under 16 years old and receives a DVA Income Support Supplement due to permanent incapacity for work?
• Yes, see Step 3 in Table 2
• No, go to Step 7

Note: check the student's record for details of an appropriate Services Australia payment, or ask for evidence of a DVA pension to be forwarded to the customer's ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services site. The customer target category can be identified on the Customer Target Category Summary (CTCS) screen.

Is the student receiving one of the following payments:

• Carer Payment (CP)
• Parenting Payment Single (PPS)
• JSP or YA Principal carer (single)?
• Yes, go to Step 8
• No, see Step 4 in Table 2

Note: check the student's record for details of an appropriate Services Australia payment, or ask for evidence of a DVA pension to be forwarded to the customer's ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services site. The customer target category can be identified on the CTCS screen.

The customer is entitled to the pensioner study load concession. However, the rate of payment will be determined by the study load that the customer is undertaking.

• If the customer is studying 25-49% of the normal full-time study load for the course, see Step 1 in Table 2
• If the customer is studying 50-100% of the normal full-time study load for the course, see Step 2 in Table 2

The customer is entitled to half the normal rate of payment for the PES.

Send an ABSTUDY action request Fast Note advising that the student appears eligible for the concession. Use Fast Note - select Auto Text, use > Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Study Update Required > Confirm.

Code information onto the system as follows:

• Update the Participation Status: field in Process Direct on the Customer Study Details (EDC) screen or in Customer First on the Education Course Details (EDC) screen to U50 (25-49% of full-time study load for the course, no disability concession)
• Record details of the Pensioner study load concession on a DOC. Procedure ends here

The customer is entitled to the full rate of payment for the ABSTUDY PES.

Send an ABSTUDY action request Fast Note advising that the student appears eligible for the concession. Use Fast Note - select Auto Text, use > Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Study Update Required > Confirm.

Code information onto the system as follows:

• Update the Participation Status: field in Process Direct on the Customer Study Details (EDC) screen or in Customer First on the Education Course Details (EDC) screen to O50 (50-74% of full-time study load for the course, no disability concession) or FTS (75-100% of full-time study load for the course), depending on the actual study load
• Record details of the Pensioner study load concession on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

The student is entitled to an ABSTUDY pensioner concession and will also receive the full rate of payment for the PES.

Send an ABSTUDY action request Fast Note advising that the student appears eligible for the concession. Use Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Study Update Required > Confirm.

Code information onto the system as follows:

• Update the Participation Status: field in Process Direct on the Customer Study Details (EDC) screen or in Customer First on the Education Course Details (EDC) screen to U50, O50 or FTS depending upon the student's actual study load. Regardless of the study load, the system will pay the full rate of PES on the basis of the customer being in receipt of these pension types
• Record details of the pensioner study load concession on a DOC

Procedure ends here.

The student is not eligible for a pensioner study load concession. Record details of discussion with the student on a DOC. Advise the customer of their review and appeal rights. See External review of ABSTUDY decision. Also consider the students eligibility for the ABSTUDY Part-time Award.

The student should be advised promptly, and in writing, so that they know ABSTUDY cannot be granted on reduced study load. This will allow the student to vary enrolment and study load, if appropriate.

While general advice based on information provided by the student can be given over the phone, the student should be encouraged to test their eligibility in person, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions.

Procedure ends here.

The minimum study load required in order to qualify for ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) is 25% of the normal full-time study load.

• If a customer's study load is less than 25%, and they are unable to increase their study load, they should be considered instead for the ABSTUDY Part-time Award

Record details of discussion with the student on a DOC. Advise the customer of their review and appeal rights. See External review of ABSTUDY decision.

While general advice based on information provided by the student can be given over the phone, the student should be encouraged to test their eligibility in person, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions.