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Identifying a package of services for self employed customers 043-02010010

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This document outlines information to assist in matching a suitable income support payment to a customer who is self employed.

Eligibility for payment

When looking at whether a self- employed customer is eligible for payments, consider the following circumstances regarding their self employment:

  • A customer who is looking for work can claim JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or Youth Allowance (YA). It will need to be established that they are unemployed and willing to look for all types of suitable work
  • A customer who has had an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) and assessed as having a Partial Capacity to Work or Temporary Reduced Work Capacity may be eligible for JSP or YA (job seeker) with suitable mutual obligation requirements. It will need to be established that the customer is unemployed while in self-employment and that they are able to satisfy their mutual obligation requirements
  • A customer who is permanently incapacitated may claim Disability Support Pension (DSP), or Age Pension if they are Age Pension age. Their assets from the business will be assessed. The income may be assessable as well, depending on whether the self employment has fully ceased or if someone else is running the business for them
  • A farmer and their partner experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for Farm Household Allowance (FHA) which provides financial assistance and support to improve their long term financial situation
  • A customer who is a parent or guardian will need to provide income and asset details for the business. These will be assessed before payments are made
  • If a customer just requires a Health Care Card to cover themselves or their family for any medication, they would need to provide income details for the self employment. This income would be assessed before the card is granted to the customer
  • If a customer needs to cease self employment as they are caring for someone, consider their eligibility for Carer Payment (CP) and/or Carer Allowance (CA)

Additional services available

A customer can be provided with more information about:

  • Additional agency services
  • Services available from external providers, for example, grants, rebates, subsidies and advice

The Resources page contains an example in relation to self employed customers claiming payment and a series of links to additional assistance and resources.

Assets and liabilities of a business

Income and expenses of a business

Identifying a package of services for rural customers

Eligibility for JobSeeker Payment (JSP) and Youth Allowance (job seeker) when self-employed

Complex Assessment Officers (CAO)

Financial Information Service (FIS)

Assessment Services