Assessing independence when a customer's parents cannot exercise responsibilities 001-04060080

Alice and Jane have one parent, who is still living. Their parent has just been admitted to a nursing home due to suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease. Alice and Jane will remain in the family home and take on the day-to-day financial responsibilities.

Alice is receiving Youth Allowance (YA) and Jane is receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP), both at the standard rate. They apply for independent status from the date their parent is admitted to the nursing home. Alice provided a medical report from the specialist treating the parent which confirms that the parent will remain in the nursing home for an indefinite period.

Alice and Jane qualify as independent because their parent cannot exercise parental responsibilities. Alice would not be regarded as an accommodated independent person for YA despite living in the family home because Alice is not living with the parent. Alice would be paid the away from home rate as an independent young person.

Tony normally lives with one parent as the other is serving a second year of a 14 year prison sentence. The parent Tony resides with has a number of outstanding traffic fines and is imprisoned for one month.

Tony applies for independent status for the period this parent is unable to exercise parental responsibilities.

Tony is eligible for independent status for this month because both parents are unable to exercise parental responsibilities.

Debra applies for YA as an independent young person on the grounds that it is Unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH).

Debra completes a MOD Y Unreasonable to live at home form and indicates having no knowledge of the whereabouts of either parent.

Debra's grandparent advises that Debra's parent is living overseas and does not want to be contacted by Debra.

Debra is not independent on the grounds of the parent being missing, but can be referred to a Services Australia social worker for assessment under the UTLAH guidelines.

Belinda’s parents separated a few years ago. Belinda:

• has been dependent on parent 1, and there is information on record to confirm that Belinda cannot live with parent 2 as they:
• have had no contact with parent 2 for the last 2 years, and are unsure where parent 2 is living or how to contact them, and
• advises that parent 1 has been incarcerated or placed in a mental facility for an indefinite period

Belinda is deemed independent as:

• evidence is supplied to confirm the incarceration or information relating to mental incapacity of parent 1, and
• a search for parent 2 (on the electoral role and Services Australia system) has established that the parent has a history of going missing, and no new activity is visible on their record for 3 years