Telephone Allowance (TAL) debts 107-04020090

A decision has been made that a debt for Telephone Allowance (TAL) is to be under subsection 1223(1).

If the debt is to be raised for a customer who is in receipt of TAL because they:

• are in receipt of an eligible Social Security payment, go to Step 2
• were a holder of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) prior to 20 September 2009, go to Step 3

The debt is raised under the primary benefit type. For example, Disability Support Pension (DSP), Age Pension etc.

Go to Step 4.

The debt is raised as per normal debt processing, with the following exceptions:

• The Debt Benefit Code is 'TEL'

On the Add Debt (OPAD) screen, the:

• Reason field will default to TAD 'You were not entitled to Telephone Allowance'
• Section of Act field will:
• default with section 1223(1) of the Social Security Act 1991
• remain unprotected to allow changes to the default section of the Act reference

Note: the Start Date for TEL debts can only be on or after 17 September 2001 as this was the date Seniors Health Care Card holders became eligible for TAL.

The OPAOD screen will be unprotected as per normal new debt processing. The text on OPAOD will default to:

• 'You were not entitled to receive Telephone Allowance'