Assessing independence when a customer is an orphan 001-04060050

A customer is considered independent if their natural or legally adopted parents are deceased. This applies even if the young person is being supported by somebody else.

If a guardian or other third party person has previously been paid Double Orphan Pension (DOP) on behalf of the young person, then verification may not be required as this has already been provided for the DOP assessment.

YA customers who are independent are not subject to assessment under the Parental Means Tests.

YA customers who are independent because they are orphans may meet the minimum age requirements for YA and be paid from 15 years of age, unless they are under the school leaving age for the State or Territory in which they reside and do not have a formal exemption from attending school. See Determining minimum and maximum age for YA.

Once independence as an orphan has been established, and it has been confirmed the customer has not been in State care, YA can be paid at the 'Away From Home' rate as they are not living as an accommodated independent person. This includes orphans that are living with a guardian who is not their natural parent, relationship parent or adoptive parent.

For an orphan that has been placed into State care, the rate of payment is determined by the type of State care they are in, either supported or unsupported. See Assessing independence when a customer is in State care.

Some independent students may also qualify for a Relocation Scholarship. Additional coding is required for independent students who qualify for Relocation Scholarship to ensure it pays correctly.

This assessment of independence applies to DSP customers aged 16 or 17 years. This is not required for DSP customers aged between 18 and 20 as they are considered independent when living away from the parental home for any reason.