Youth Allowance (YA) customer leaving the parental home 102-03010100

A YA customer who leaves their parental home must have their circumstances reviewed as:

• they may be entitled to a different rate of basic benefit, and
• their eligibility for Rent Assistance (RA) and Remote Area Allowance (RAA) may have changed

The away from home rate of YA is a higher rate of YA payable to eligible young people who need to live away from home to:

• access study,
• do an Australian apprenticeship, or
• improve their employment prospects

Young people who fulfil the mutual obligation requirements as a job seeker or study requirements as an Australian Apprentice or full-time student, may qualify for the away from home rate of YA.

Not all young people living away from the parental home can qualify for the away from home rate. It is not sufficient for the young person to choose to live away from home, or for the parent to choose not to support the young person.

Independent customers who live in the parental home are generally considered an accommodated independent person. These customers are entitled to the accommodated independent rate of YA. However, a customer will be eligible for a rate equivalent to the away from home rate of YA if they are:

• living in the parental home and are independent because they:
• are or have been married or a member of a YA couple, or
• have, or have had, a dependent child

The departure of a YA customer from the family home may affect the entitlements of other young people in the family unit who are also receiving YA.