Partner of a Family Tax Benefit (FTB) customer claims family assistance and/or Parental Leave Pay (PPL) 007-07030030

Members of a couple cannot both receive FTB for the same period unless they are a blended family or are claiming for a past period during which they were separated.

If the partner of a primary carer claims FTB (for another child) and the primary carer claims PPL, 2 separate claims will need to be lodged.

If the PPL, FTB or PPL/FTB combined claimant's partner is receiving FTB and the family is not a blended family, the family should be contacted to discuss their options:

• The family may choose for the FTB current partner to cancel their FTB, and for the new PPL claimant to also claim family assistance for all children. The FTB current partner will need to contact the agency to cancel FTB from date paid to plus one day
• If the family decide that it is best for the FTB current partner to claim FTB for the new child, the family assistance claim lodged by the PPL claimant can be rejected or withdrawn. If FTB claim is withdrawn or rejected, the PPL claim will still be assessed if all relevant information has been provided
• If the PPL claimant has lodged a completed FA081 which has been signed by both the PPL claimant and the FTB current partner, the FTB can be reassessed to add the newborn child to the partner's current FTB
• If the customer has lodged a completed FTB only claim which has been signed by both the claimant and the FTB current partner, the FTB can be reassessed to add the newborn child to the partner's current FTB
• If the partner of a primary carer claims FTB (for another child) and the primary carer claims PPL, 2 separate claims will need to be lodged

All claims lodged must be determined unless they are withdrawn by the PPL claimant or made not effective. If the claim is rejected, the PPL claimant is to be issued with a letter advising them of the reason for the rejection and their review and appeal rights

The Express Plus Centrelink mobile app is not currently available to customers claiming PPL if someone else is receiving FTB for the child/ren. Customers in this situation are required to complete an online or paper claim (and submit any other relevant supporting documents.

If a person uses their partner's online account to make a claim for family assistance or PPL in their own name, this cannot be considered a legal claim and must be made not effective immediately. For an online claim to be effective it must be made by a person registered with their own online account.

When a customer registers for self service, they agree to the Self Service Conditions of Use. If they allow another person to use their PIN or password, they are in breach of those conditions.

Where a claim has been processed, whether granted or not, on an incorrect record, it is likely the record will be intertwined and it must be referred to the Data Quality Unit for follow-up.

Smart Centre Processing staff should contact the customer registered online to advise that they need to make a claim for family assistance/PPL in their name and to remind them of the Self Service Conditions of Use.