Waiting periods for income support payments 106-05020000
Expand allThis document outlines the procedures that detail types of waiting periods a customer may need to serve depending on the type of income support payment they receive.
Waiting periods
Once a customer qualifies for an income support payment, certain factors may affect the payability of the payment. Waiting periods may be applied which delay the commencement of payment or reduce the amount of payment for a defined period. Waiting and preclusion periods are generally applied as customers are expected to use their own funds to support themselves before receiving government support. There are a number of waiting periods that can be applied to different payments.
If a customer is affected by a waiting period, they can test their eligibility for a Low Income Health Care Card (LIC).
Referral to Employment Services Providers
Job seekers claiming an income support payment with mutual obligation requirements are Fully Eligible Participant (FEP) job seekers and must be referred to an Employment Services Provider. Job seekers who are required to serve waiting periods other than an Ordinary Waiting Period (OWP), are normally eligible for employment services provider assistance as a voluntary participant. They should be encouraged to participate with providers who can help them access self-help facilities, workforceaustralia.gov.au and other services.
Note: job seekers serving a waiting period and participating voluntarily do not have a 6 month restriction on access to employment services by Workforce Australia.
The Resources page contains information on how the waiting periods were affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Contents
Income Maintenance Period (IMP)
Assessment of hardship for Income Maintenance Period (IMP)
Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP)
Assessment of hardship for Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP)
Seasonal Work Preclusion Period (SWPP)
Assessment of hardship for Seasonal Work Preclusion Period (SWPP)
Unemployed Due to Industrial Action (UDIA)
Interaction between waiting and preclusion periods
Compensation Preclusion Period
Deferment, non-payment period or rate reduction period for Parenting Payment Partnered (PPP)
Unemployment due to a major business closure or disruption
Related links
Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) and Qualifying Residence Period
Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) and Qualifying Residence Period Exemptions
Leave and termination payments paid by an employer
Low Income Health Care Card (LIC)
Unemployment due to a voluntary act or misconduct