Integrated Care - Making and recording care determination 277-03060070

Item

Example

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Example 1

Child moves from 100% care of Mum to 100% care of Dad and advises the agency within 28 days. This is a change of care not a terminating event. This change in care will take effect for the:

• child support assessment from the date the change occurred
• family assistance assessment from the date the change occurred

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Example 2

Child Jill moved from Fran's (Mum) 100% care to Dave's (Dad) 100% care on 2 February 2021. Fran and Dave do not have a care arrangement for Jill. Fran advised the agency of this change in care on 10 July 2021. Both parties confirm the event date and the new pattern of care. This change in care will take effect for the:

• child support assessment - as a result of this care change all eligible carers (Fran) ceased to be eligible carers and the parent who was not an eligible carer (Dave) would have become an eligible carer except for the care date of effect rules. Therefore, the child support assessment is suspended from 2 February to 9 July 2021. The new care arrangement will be used in the assessment from 10 July 2021, the date of notification
• family assistance assessment from the date of event - 2 February 2021

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Example 3

Justin moved from Kevin's (Dad) 100% care to Jodie's (Mum) 100% care on 1 August 2020. Jodie advises the agency of this change in care on 8 March 2021. Both parties confirm the date of event and the new pattern of care.

For the family assistance assessment this change will take effect from the date of event, being 1 August 2020.

For the child support assessment, as Jodie's care reduced below 35% from 1 August 2020 (date of event) and Kevin's increased percentage of care cannot be used in the assessment until 8 March 2021 (date of notification), a terminating event has occurred on 1 August 2020because neither parent has a care percentage of 35% or more. When the agency is advised of the change in care on 8 March 2021, a new application for child support is required if either parent wants to re-start the assessment for Justin.

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Example 4

Grandparent has 50% care of their grandchild and has an existing child support assessment with the child's mother (who has 30% care) and the child's father (who has 20% care). The child then moves into the grandparent's full-time care (100% care).

The care change was advised within 28 days. All parties confirm the event date and the new pattern of care. This is a change of care not a terminating event. The child is still in the care of one of the parties to the child support assessment. The change will take effect for the:

• child support assessment from the date the change occurred
• family assistance assessment from the date the change occurred

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Example 5

Tommy's grandmother, Suzie, applied for a child support assessment on 1 October 2020 with Tommy in Suzie's care for 40% of the time, and 60% of the time in Kate's (mother) care.

Tommy moved from Kate's (mother) 60% care to Suzie's (grandparent) 100% care on 3 March 2021. Kate advised the agency of the care change on 19 April 2021. Both parties confirm the event date and the new pattern of care. This change in care will take effect for the:

• child support assessment - Kate's care has decreased so it will take effect in the assessment from 3 March 2021. As Suzie's level of care has increased and it was notified more than 28 days after the event. Suzie's increased care will be applied in the assessment from 19 April 2021
• family assistance assessment from 3 March 2021 being the date the change of care occurred

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Example 6

Mum and Dad equally share the care of 1 child (50% each). The child then moves into 100% care of an aunt, who is not a party to the current assessment. This is a terminating event for the current child support assessment as both Mum and Dad cease to be eligible carers because their percentage of care has fallen to 0%.

When a terminating event occurs, the assessment must change from the date of event even if the agency is notified after 28 days. Mum and Dad would also lose their entitlement to FTB for the child and the aunt will have the option of making a claim.

Item

Example

1

Example 1

Fiona advised that their care for Harry has increased from 50% to 70% from 17 March 2022. David disagreed, advising care had not changed and was still 50/50.

The disagreement about care arrangements was referred to Integrated Care who attempted contact with both customers to gather information and request evidence. Contact was unsuccessful. Letters were issued to both customers asking for evidence to support their claims.

No evidence was received and neither customer called in response to the letters. A decision will be made to reject the change in care as evidence was not received to support the claim.

One genuine attempt to contact Fiona prior to making a care determination is required, to explain that a decision will be made to reject the care change.

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Example 2

John advised that their care for Megan has increased from 0% to 14% from 3 August 2022. Kelly disagreed, advising care had not changed and they still have 100% care of Megan.

The disagreement about care arrangements was referred to Integrated Care who contacted both customers to gather information and request evidence. Letters were issued to both customers asking for evidence to support their claims.

John provided evidence - a calendar showing nights they had care of Megan since 3 August 2022 and a third party statement. Kelly did not provide any evidence.

One genuine attempt to contact Kelly to discuss the conflicting information/evidence provided by John is required prior to making a care determination, if this has not already been discussed.