Death of an adult or child care receiver and the effect on Carer Payment (CP) 009-03090010

A CP carer is entitled to payment during the bereavement period, in which time they will need to test their eligibility for another income support payment if they still require assistance. They may also be eligible for the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP), depending on their circumstances:

• when an adult care receiver dies, the level of bereavement assistance depends on whether:
• the care receiver is single or a member of a couple
• the partner was receiving an income support payment or not, and
• the carer is paid CP (XWP)
• when a child care receiver dies, the level of bereavement assistance depends on whether or not the carer is paid CP (XWP)
• when a child care receiver dies and they were in a short term or episodic care situation, the CP (child) carer will receive the LBP and continuation of CP during the bereavement period even if this exceeds the date of the Medical Report, Medical Certificate end date, or end of the episodic or short term care period

If a deceased care receiver had 2 or more carers in receipt of CP, each carer is eligible for payment during the bereavement period and may also be entitled to the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP) depending on their circumstances.

The following applies to multiple care situations (where the carer qualifies for CP based on the care needs of 2 or more CP care receivers). For example, CP (child) is paid under Combined or Multiple assessment, or CP (adult) is paid under lower Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) provisions.

For CP (adult) or CP (child) where the adult care receiver dies, both a 14 week bereavement period and the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP) apply, depending on the situation. The partner lump sum bereavement provisions apply if the adult was the carer's partner. Otherwise, standard third party bereavement lump sum provisions will apply.

For CP (child) where a child care receiver dies, a 14 week bereavement period and the LBP apply.

For CP (adult) paid under lower ADAT provisions where the dependent child dies, see Death of a dependent child of a lower Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score adult.

When a care receiver permanently enters an institution, the carer ceases to qualify for CP. However, payment of CP continues for 14 weeks from the date of admission to the institution (regardless of the end date of the short term or episodic care period for a CP child). If the care receiver dies during the 14 week continuation period, and the CP recipient and their care receiver were a couple, section 198AAA ceases to apply and section 237 (qualification for bereavement payments) may apply instead. That is, a 14 week bereavement period will commence if all aspects of section 237 are met and the carer may be eligible for the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP).

If the care receiver and the CP recipient are not members of a couple, the carer continues receiving CP for 14 weeks from the date of admission to the institution but is not entitled to a further 14 week bereavement period or a LBP.

Note: payment of CP does not continue for 14 weeks from the date of admission to the institution for carers being paid CP (XWP). If their last CA care receiver is permanently admitted to an institution, CP (XWP) is cancelled when payment level CA is suspended or cancelled. See Transfer from Wife Pension (WP) to Carer Payment (CP).

If the carer commences work in excess of 25 hours per week during the bereavement period, the usual CP constant care criterion does not have to be met. All normal income and assets rules still apply, which means the carer's rate of payment may be affected by the income paid. See Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA) carer undertakes paid employment, self employment, voluntary work, education or training activities.

After a customer dies, Nominee and Power of Attorney (POA):

• arrangements stop
• can no longer get details about the deceased person
• do not automatically become the executor or administrator

A statutory declaration cannot be used as authorisation for access to a deceased person's details. Tell the third party to seek advice from a lawyer, Probate Office or Public Trustee. See Requests for information after someone has died.