Calculating the start day for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and ABSTUDY PES 106-05010100

The start date for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and ABSTUDY PES customers can be either:

• the first day on which a qualifying income support payment is payable, or
• the first day the customer becomes PES age, or
• the first day of study
• in some circumstances, 1 January or 1 July in the year of study

To backdate payments to the right start date, PES and ABSTUDY PES claims must be made before 31 March (semester 1 starters) or 31 July (semester 2 starters) for full year courses.

Claims made within 4 weeks of either, starting study in a short course or otherwise qualifying for PES or ABSTUDY PES, can have their start day backdated to the date qualified. A customer can lodge an early claim for PES up to 13 weeks before they qualify. The start day would then be the date of qualification.

Students claiming ABSTUDY PES, who received ABSTUDY in the past may not need to lodge a new claim. These claims follow the same lodgement rules as all ABSTUDY claims. See Claiming ABSTUDY.

A new claim is not required if a customer receives ABSTUDY and now wants to claim ABSTUDY PES. This includes Incidentals and part-time students. The only information required to complete the transfer from ABY to EPA (ABSTUDY PES) is usually available on their qualifying payment record.

Intent to claim provisions only apply to customers in vulnerable circumstances.

If the customer is waiting for approval of a pension or payment from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans' Affairs that is a requirement for them to qualify for PES or ABSTUDY PES, hold their claim for PES or ABSTUDY PES until their claim for pension or payment is granted/rejected.

If a claim for ABSTUDY PES has been rejected, there is no time limit for reclaiming ABSTUDY PES or providing additional information. Therefore, the customer can reclaim ABSTUDY PES at any stage, and be backdated, once their pension or payment has been granted.

Backdating the start day on review is not limited by the 13 week timeframe that normally applies to customers requesting review of decisions.

If the PES customer has not turned 16 years of age, the start date may be affected. See Age Requirements for Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)