Initial offer or replacement of BasicsCard 103-01230010
This is a Family and Domestic Violence Interaction Point. If the customer is with another person, on speaker phone, or already identified with family and domestic violence concerns, continue with the current business conversation. Otherwise, go to the Family and domestic violence procedure to conduct the risk identification and referral process.
This document outlines information on how to determine if a customer is eligible for a BasicsCard and how to issue a new BasicsCard.
On this page:
BasicsCard - customer eligibility and identification
BasicsCard - requesting over the phone
Processing BasicsCard requested over the phone
BasicsCard - processing face to face
BasicsCard - Finalising the transaction face to face
BasicsCard - customer eligibility and identification
Table 1
Step |
Action |
1 |
Customer contacts to request a BasicsCard + Read more ... A new or replacement BasicsCard can be requested from:
Confirm Customer Identity If the customer isn’t already authenticated, confirm their identification before continuing with the interview. This is essential and required to reduce the risk of issuing funds to third parties in error. Issuing the BasicsCard to a third party in error can result in hardship for the customer and financial loss to Services Australia. If in any doubt, do not issue the BasicsCard and consult a Centrelink Social Worker, Indigenous Service Officer (ISO) or the Income Management helpdesk for further assistance. Payment nominees If a customer (principal) has a payment nominee, the payment nominee can choose to have the BasicsCard issued in their name or the principal's (customer’s) name. See Nominee arrangements under Income Management. If the customer does not wish for the payment nominee to be issued the BasicsCard, the customer must end the nominee arrangement prior to being issued a BasicsCard. |
2 |
Determine if customer is eligible for a BasicsCard + Read more ... All BasicsCards are issued using the Centrelink system. Manual coding updates are only done when workflow is unavailable. Workflow updates Check if the customer is eligible for a BasicsCard by selecting the Income Management Summary guided procedure in Customer First. The Income Management Summary screen will display their IM status. Customers are eligible for a BasicsCard if they are currently on IM, or if it is less than 60 days since IM ended and they have a residual IM balance. Is the customer eligible for a BasicsCard?
Note: if the customer is on enhanced Income Management and wants a temporary card issued, see: Temporary SmartCards. |
3 |
Customer is not eligible for a BasicsCard + Read more ... Social Worker recommendation If a customer wants to be issued a BasicsCard but a Service Officer and Social Worker both believe the request should be declined, the matter must be referred to the Income Management Policy Helpdesk. The Social Worker must send an email to outline the customer's situation, the avenues explored to meet the customer's needs and why it is recommended a BasicsCard should not be issued. Procedure ends here. |
4 |
Multiple BasicsCards previously issued + Read more ... The BasicsCard may not always be the most appropriate option for the customer's circumstances. In Customer First, launch the BasicsCard action history workflow and check:
Reinforce to the customer the BasicsCard key messages:
See the Resources page for a link to phone numbers and other options for customers to check their balance. Important: no limit can be placed on the number of BasicsCards that can be issued to a customer. |
5 |
Customer is eligible for a BasicsCard + Read more ... Does the customer accept the offer of a BasicsCard?
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BasicsCard - requesting over the phone
Table 2: Customer requesting a BasicsCard over the phone.
Step |
Action |
1 |
Requesting a BasicsCard + Read more ... Customers who cannot access a Centrelink Service Centre can contact the Income Management phone line to request a BasicsCard be sent to them in the mail. Make sure to Authenticate a customer/nominee’s identity before continuing. Does the customer have a payment nominee?
|
2 |
Payment nominee arrangement in place + Read more ... If the payment nominee is present, go to step 4. If the payment nominee is not present, in Customer First, launch the ‘BasicsCard action history’ workflow to check who the previous BasicsCard was issued to:
Important: if the payment nominee is not present and the customer does not wish for the payment nominee to be issued the BasicsCard, the customer must end the nominee arrangement prior to being issued a BasicsCard. Can the payment nominee be authenticated?
|
3 |
Financial Vulnerability Check + Read more ... Check the Document List (DL) for Display on Access (DOA) DOCs regarding financial vulnerability or social worker notes advising not to issue the customer a BasicsCard. Are there any DOCs indicating the customer is financially vulnerable?
|
4 |
Previous card sent via post + Read more ... Check the Document List (DL) for Display on Access (DOA) DOCs to confirm if the customer had a replacement card issued over the phone in the last 2 weeks. If a replacement card was issued and sent via post, tell the customer to check their mail for the replacement card before issuing another card. If a new BasicsCard is requested, it will cancel the previous card which could delay the customer accessing a current BasicsCard. |
5 |
Determine if mailing an inactive BasicsCard to the customer is appropriate + Read more ... Determine by talking with the customer if they are currently able to receive mail?
|
6 |
If posting a BasicsCard is viable + Read more ... Confirm the customer’s postal address and update any address details if necessary. Discuss with the customer:
Refer the customer’s request for a BasicsCard to be posted using the template text in Resources by:
Procedure ends here. |
7 |
Customer is unable to receive mail + Read more ... Discuss alternate ways the customer can use their income managed funds to access goods and services via payment methods:
Refer the customer to the Income Management line if not trained in Income Management. Procedure ends here. |
Processing BasicsCard requested over the phone
Table 3: Central team processing the BasicsCard requested over the phone.
Step |
Action |
1 |
Preliminary Checks + Read more ... Note: this section contains steps for only the central processing team to issue cards in the mail. Enter the customers record and ensure/check details received in the email template:
Posting to addresses The address provided for posting should match the postal/physical address already on the customer’s record. If different:
Service Officers processing the BasicsCard request should follow up and discuss/update (if/as appropriate) any differing details with the customer directly. |
2 |
BasicsCard Summary check + Read more ... Go to the BasicsCard Summary screen to check if the customer has previously been issued a BasicsCard. On this screen, if the customer:
Has an existing card previously been issued?
|
3 |
Customer identification + Read more ... When either the Issue Card or Replace (existing) card workflow prompts for POI, update this section with: Customer-provided identification Select-Other ID provided and enter the text: Mail replacement process System checked information Select CRN, DOB, current address, etc., as appropriate to continue with workflow. |
4 |
Card status summary + Read more ... If replacing an existing card and the customer previously consented yes for BasicsCard balance being printed on EFTPOS receipts, replicate this arrangement as part of mailing the replacement BasicsCard. If issuing a new card and the customer did not previously consent to the balance on receipt option, assume no. If the customer wishes to consent to this option later, they can via self-service or at next contact with Services Australia. Under reason for replacement, insert the text: Customer Request and continue. Issue/Replacement Card Details Continue with the workflow:
Select Continue to move forward with the workflow. Change auto generated DOC Tailor the DOC to accommodate the interaction over the phone/posting the card. Default text is set for in person activity.
Select the complete button. |
5 |
Suspend the BasicsCard + Read more ... As a security measure for posting the BasicsCard, go to the BasicsCard Summary screen and suspend the card. Select Update status/BasicsCard payment method to suspend the card using the suspension reason of other. Replace DOC text Delete the pre-populated text and replace with:
Select the complete button. |
6 |
Display on Access DOC (DOA) + Read more ... To help with customer queries and the card re-activation process, place a DOA DOC on the record to advise:
Ensure extensive proof of identity/record ownership is completed during the future contact. |
7 |
Posting the card and the letter to the customer + Read more ... Use the Central processing area specialist taskcard to:
Note: take care with these steps to ensure the customer correctly receives the right card. When the customer receives their card in the mail, see BasicsCard reactivate posted or previously suspended card for the action to take. Procedure ends here. |
BasicsCard - processing face to face
Table 4: BasicsCard processing at a Service Centre or during a Remote Servicing Team visit.
Step |
Action |
1 |
Check for payment nominee arrangement + Read more ... Does the customer have a payment nominee arrangement in place?
|
2 |
Nominee is not present + Read more ... In Customer First, launch the BasicsCard action history workflow to check who the last BasicsCard was issued to. Was the last BasicsCard issued to the customer?
Important: if the payment nominee is not present or the customer does not wish for the payment nominee to be issued the BasicsCard, the customer must end the nominee arrangement prior to being issued a BasicsCard. |
3 |
Financial Vulnerability Check + Read more ... Check the Document List (DL) for Display on Access (DOA) DOCs regarding financial vulnerability or social worker notes advising not to issue the customer a BasicsCard. Are there any DOCs indicating the customer is financially vulnerable?
|
4 |
BasicsCard Summary + Read more ... Go to the BasicsCard Summary guided procedure in Customer First to check if the customer was previously issued a BasicsCard. If the BasicsCard was:
Was an existing card previously issued?
|
5 |
Issue card and replace (existing card) workflows + Read more ... An authentication screen displays. If the customer has a Display on Access (DOA) DOC, confirm the document/s have been read. Confirm if the customer's record is password protected before continuing. Once confirmed, the system will request how the customer has been authenticated. Select the method/s. The customer must be fully authenticated to continue workflow. If a customer has a nominee, the Service Officer will be presented with a variation of the authentication screen. Note: DOA DOCs will only appear if they are present on the customer's record.
|
6 |
Issuing a card when there is a nominee arrangement in place + Read more ... If a customer has a nominee all sections will be greyed out except for the section allowing access to Display on Access (DOA) and customer password. Once this is completed, the nominee's name and password must be confirmed to continue workflow. If a nominee cannot recall their password see Adding or rejecting a nominee request. Once authentication is complete, if the customer has a payment nominee they will be presented with an 'assign card' screen. An information message will display stating: 'BasicsCard can only be assigned to the customer where the payment nominee has given their permission. The 'assign card' screen will show the Service Officer to whom the BasicsCard is currently assigned (if at all), and allows the payment nominee to assign the BasicsCard to the principal (customer) if they wish to, or previous consent was provided by the payment nominee. The question 'assign BasicsCard to' will display for the Service Officer. The options presented are 'nominee' or 'customer'. If the nominee chooses to have the BasicsCard assigned to the customer, they will be presented with the question 'does the nominee consent to assigning the BasicsCard to the customer'.
If the customer does not have a payment nominee the ‘assign card’ section will not appear. |
7 |
Thermal printer + Read more ... If a thermal printer be used:
If a thermal printer cannot be used:
|
8 |
Printing and Replacement BasicsCard + Read more ...
|
9 |
Thermal printer available + Read more ... When printing the cardholder/nominee's name, the default shown on the Customer Personal Details Summary is 'Legal name' unless they a more appropriate name listed on their record. The maximum name length is 31 characters. Select 'Yes' for 'Print customer/nominee name on BasicsCard'? to send the print request to the thermal printer. 'No' should only be selected where thermal printing is unavailable. Radio buttons for the Printer Location? appears:
|
10 |
Thermal printing not available + Read more ... If thermal printing is not available:
|
11 |
Issuing the Card + Read more ... Collect BasicsCard from thermal printer (if available) or have the card with the name hand written on it. The BasicsCard is not activated on the customer's record until the Issue Card section is completed. Did the card print successfully? Note: once a card has been activated, it cannot be used for another customer.
Note: there is no longer a requirement to complete the BasicsCard receipt and checklist. |
12 |
Balance on Receipt and EFTPOS terminal + Read more ... Once the BasicsCard has been activated, the Service Officer will be prompted to offer the option of Balance on Receipt and EFTPOS terminal to the customer/payment nominee. If the customer/payment nominee consents to the offer and 'yes' is selected, a 'consent statement' will appear. The customer/payment nominee must read and accept the consent statement to 'opt in' to Balance on Receipt and EFTPOS terminal. Once the consent statement is accepted the workflow will continue. If the customer/payment nominee chooses not to accept the offer, then 'no' is selected and the workflow will continue. Note: the offer of Balance on Receipt and EFTPOS terminal should be made to the individual who has the BasicsCard issued in their name. There are a group of national retailers that are BasicsCard Balance on Receipt merchants. These merchants have the functionality to print BasicsCard balances on EFTPOS receipts. |
13 |
Customer/payment nominee must set PIN + Read more ... The Change or Reset PIN screen allows BasicsCard PINs to be set. PINs must be set whenever a BasicsCard is issued or replaced. Customers/payment nominees can choose to use the previous PIN if secure, but they must re-enter PIN when cards are issued. Note: if workflow is unavailable and manual coding is available, 'S'elect Change or Reset PIN from the BCTS screen or type 'BCPU' in the Nxt: field Access to the Change or reset PIN screen:
When message 'PIN successfully updated' is displayed, the PIN has been changed. |
14 |
BasicsCard activated + Read more ... The BasicsCard has now been activated on customer’s record. If a previous BasicsCard was replaced it is now cancelled and can no longer be used. An auto DOC will display on the record. If a customer's payment nominee decided to have the BasicsCard issued to the principal (customer) this will be included in the text. Note: when issuing the customer with a replacement card their allocation method will remain the same as previously identified. To update this see, BasicsCard changing daily spend, maximum card balance limits and allocation method. See Table 5. |
BasicsCard - Finalising the transaction face to face
Table 5: Reviewing the customers BasicsCard arrangements at a service centre or during a Remote Servicing Team visit.
Step |
Action |
1 |
Review current deductions and expenses + Read more ... Use the Expense Management Summary screen to review expenses. Payment nominees When a BasicsCard is issued to the payment nominee, the payment nominee is responsible for managing the customer's income managed funds, including allocations to the BasicsCard. See Nominee arrangements under Income Management. Third parties Third Parties who are not payment nominees cannot be issued the BasicsCard on behalf of the customer. All customers The BasicsCard is an allocation method for income managed funds. Service Officers must review current expenses to ensure the customer's priority needs are met via appropriate allocation methods. Note: if the customer/payment nominee is requesting an immediate transfer or changes to their BasicsCard expenses, review current expenses to ensure the customer's priority needs are met via appropriate allocation methods. Immediate or regular allocations are updated by coding Income Management expenses. Also see Changes to Income Management priority needs for further support. |
2 |
Review BasicsCard daily spend and maximum card balance limits + Read more ... To review the BasicsCard current daily spend limit and maximum card balance, go to the BasicsCard summary screen. Changing daily spend and maximum card balance limits on BasicsCard Daily Spend Limit: Can be set between $20 and $1,500. If the BasicsCard daily spend limit is reached for a 24 hour period (midnight to midnight), the customer will need to wait until midnight before the daily spend limit resets and additional BasicsCard purchases can be made. Maximum Card Balance: Can be set between $100 and $3,000. A customer may request to lower the daily spend or maximum card balance limits of their BasicsCard. If a customer is deemed 'vulnerable', appropriate referrals should be made. Service Officers should ensure a full assessment of the customer's circumstances is undertaken and any appropriate referrals made. See BasicsCard changing daily spend and maximum card balance limits for further support. |
3 |
Review BasicsCard payment allocation method + Read more ... To review the BasicsCard payment allocation method, go to the BasicsCard summary screen. When the initial BasicsCard is issued, the payment allocation will default to the residual method. Residual Method: Customers on the residual method will have all residual funds from their IM account automatically transfer to their BasicsCard, up to the maximum card limit. Customers can opt-out of this method. Partial Method: Customers will be able to have regular allocations set up to their BasicsCard from their IM account. If a customer receives a reduced ISP and has insufficient funds to cover all their expenses, the system will calculate and pay the reduced amount to the BasicsCard once all other expenses have been paid. See BasicsCard changing daily spend, maximum card balance limits and allocation method for further support. |
4 |
Provide further information to the customer/payment nominee about the BasicsCard + Read more ... When issued a BasicsCard, customers/nominees will benefit from key messages around:
Service Officers should provide a reminder of these messages verbally. |
5 |
BasicsCard Customer Information Pack + Read more ... Issue customer with BasicsCard Customer Information Pack. Service Officers need to ensure customers understand how the BasicsCard and associated options work before they shop. The information pack can guide the following topics:
Note: if the BasicsCard Customer Information Pack is not available, the BasicsCard customer terms and conditions must be downloaded from Services Australia Website and provided to the customer, See the Resources page for a link to the BasicsCard terms and conditions. |
6 |
Nominee status + Read more ... |
7 |
Customer has nominee + Read more ... If a person is a payment nominee: Remind the nominee they must act in the best interest of the customer when using the BasicsCard and income managed funds must only be used for the benefit of the customer and their dependents Where a BasicsCard has been issued to a payment nominee, the payment nominee should advise the customer of the changes and destroy any existing card if the customer is not present An auto DOC will complete, it will include details of who the BasicsCard has been assigned to. This may be the payment nominee or the principal if the payment nominee has chosen to have the BasicsCard issued in the principal's name. Procedure ends here. |