Returning to the parental home when independent or qualified for the away from home (AFH) rate of Youth Allowance (YA) 102-03010120

It is important to establish:

• if the customer has returned to the parental home on a temporary or permanent basis, and
• whether they continue to maintain their accommodation away from the parental home

These factors will determine if the customer's rate of payment will need to change.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some students were required to leave their campus term accommodation. Many students also transitioned to online study, as face-to-face teaching was unavailable.

Students who were receiving the away from home (AFH) rate, and temporarily transitioned to online learning as a result of COVID-19 remain eligible for the AFH rate. To continue to be eligible for the AFH rate tertiary students must return to face-to-face study as soon as it becomes available.

Where a student had to move out of education provider accommodation (such as on campus) and are, or were temporarily staying with their parents, they will remain eligible for the AFH rate providing they:

• remain enrolled in their course of study, and
• intend to return to their campus accommodation as soon as the education provider allows them to return

In this case, the change in accommodation should be assessed as temporary.

When a young independent person receiving YA lives in the parental home, some independence provisions are not met. A young person's independent status may need to be reviewed if the customer returns to live in the parental home. Some independence reasons are reviewable, for example, where they were previously independent due to unreasonable to live at home or in State care.

An independent customer who lives at their parental home may be considered an accommodated independent person. Accommodated independent customers receive the lower (at home) rate, unless an exemption applies.

When a customer returns to the parental home an assessment is required to determine if they are still entitled to the away from home rate. If a customer returns home for the weekend or vacation period and they are still enrolled in full time study and maintaining accommodation elsewhere, no reassessment is required.

When a YA customer returns to the parental home the customer's entitlement to Rent Assistance (RA) if qualified, is to be reviewed. Their continuing entitlement to RA will depend on whether the return to the parental home is temporary or permanent, and if they are still paying rent.