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 14 week 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 a Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP):

• when an adult care receiver dies, the level of bereavement assistance depends on whether:
• the partner was receiving an income support payment or not, and
• 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 the carer is getting Carer Payment (XWP), the level of bereavement assistance depends on the circumstances, such as whether the care receiver was a child, the carer’s partner, or if they were the carer’s only current Carer Allowance care receiver.

When a CP care receiver dies the carer may be entitled to both a 14 week bereavement period and an LBP, depending on the circumstances.

If the care receiver was partnered to the carer, the LBP is calculated under the member of a couple bereavement provisions.

If the care receiver was not partnered to the carer or a child, the LBP is calculated under the CP bereavement provisions.

If a deceased care receiver had 2 or more carers in receipt of CP, each carer is eligible for payment during the 14 week bereavement period and may also be entitled to the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP).

Bereavement assistance applies to multiple care situations (where the carer qualifies for CP based on the care needs of 2 or more 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) 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 carer and care receiver were partnered:

• the continuation period, ceases to apply
• the carer may be eligible for the 14 week period and the Lump Sum Bereavement Payment (LBP)

If the carer and care receiver were partnered, 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 an 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 begins work in excess of 100 in a 4 week period during the bereavement period, the usual CP constant care criterion does not have to be met. The pensions income and assets rules still apply; the carer's rate of payment may be affected by paid employment income. 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.