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ABSTUDY unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) 010-02040050

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Assessment of ABSTUDY UTLAH

Claiming ABSTUDY UTLAH

Processing ABSTUDY UTLAH

Assessment of ABSTUDY UTLAH

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Specialists to determine unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) + Read more ... ABSTUDY Smart Centre Service Officers and Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) skilled Service Officers do not have the delegation to approve UTLAH assessments. The delegation for approving independence for UTLAH or exemption from providing parental income for TAP, is held by: social workers for students and Australian Apprentices under 18 years of age the Student Network - UTLAH Over 18 team (O18) for students and Australian Apprentices 18 years of age or over For: Service Officers in O18 or social workers in the U18 UTLAH Social Work Network, go to Step 2 All other Service Officers, go to Step 3
2	Service Officers in O18 or social workers in the U18 UTLAH Social Work Network team + Read more ... $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-specialists.png$ Record the decision in the SW recommends ABY/UTLAH Fast Note once the social worker or O18 Service Officer determines approval or rejection of UTLAH. Use Fast Note, select Auto Text, use Social Worker > Claims > ABSTUDY Select Confirm Modify the text on the DOC confirming the approval or rejection of UTLAH. It must include the text 'in accordance with Part V, Chapters 40 - 44 of the ABSTUDY Policy Manual' Advise the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing site of the decision using the ABSTUDY UTLAH Assessment Advice Fast Note. Use Fast Note, select Auto Text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY UTLAH Assessment Advice Select Confirm The independence start date under the UTLAH status is to be backdated to the date the student or Australian Apprentice started living away from the parental home. If the customer: has a pending TAP claim waiting for a UTLAH decision, record a separate TAP UTLAH decision on a DOC. See Assessing unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) for customers claiming or receiving Youth Allowance (YA), Disability Support Pension (DSP), Special Benefit (SpB) or Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) is not claiming TAP, procedure ends here
3	Social worker action request + Read more ... Check if there is a ABSTUDY UTLAH Assessment Advice Fast Note with a UTLAH assessment from a social worker or Service Officer in the O18 team. Has a ABSTUDY UTLAH Assessment Advice Fast Note been received advising the outcome of a UTLAH assessment? Yes, For Service Officers in the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing team, see Step 2 in Table 3 All other Service Officers, advise the student or Australian Apprentice the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing team will finalise the assessment. Record details of the discussion on a DOC. Procedure ends here No, go to Step 4
4	Check for independence + Read more ... Determine whether the student or Australian Apprentice is eligible for ABSTUDY independence under another category. This is to avoid an invasive and often distressing process. See Independence for ABSTUDY customers. Where the student or Australian Apprentice meets ABSTUDY independence under another category, consider the effects on eligibility for the Relocation Scholarship (RS). Is the student or Australian Apprentice eligible for ABSTUDY independence under another category? Yes, and: there is no effect on their eligibility for RS, independence should be granted under the other category, see Independence for ABSTUDY customers. Procedure ends here it effects their eligibility for RS, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 5
5	Minimum school leaving age + Read more ... Is the student or Australian Apprentice 16 years of age or over, or have they reached the minimum school leaving age for their state or territory? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 10
6	Living in the parental home + Read more ... Is the student or Australian Apprentice living in the parental home? Yes, go to Step 10 No, go to Step 7
7	Unable to live at home + Read more ... A student or Australian Apprentice may be unable to live at the home of both their natural, adoptive or relationship parents (or if they have only one parent, that parent) because of: extreme family breakdown or similar exceptional circumstances, or no parental concern from one or both parents, see the Resources page of Assessing unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) for customers claiming or receiving Youth Allowance (YA), Disability Support Pension (DSP), Special Benefit (SpB) or Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) for scenarios, or serious risk to their physical or mental wellbeing due to family and domestic violence, sexual abuse or similar unreasonable circumstance, or their parents being unable to provide a suitable home due to a lack of stable accommodation, and they are not receiving continuous financial or other support directly or indirectly from either a parent or guardian on a long-term basis, see the Resources page of Assessing unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) for customers claiming or receiving Youth Allowance (YA), Disability Support Pension (DSP), Special Benefit (SpB) or Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) for examples Is the student or Australian Apprentice unable to live at the home of either their natural, adoptive or relationship parents (or if they have only one parent, that parent) due to one of the above reasons? Yes, go to Step 8 No, go to Step 10
8	Payment from the Commonwealth, State or Territory + Read more ... Is the student or Australian Apprentice receiving a regular payment of welfare or student assistance from the commonwealth, state or territory (except ABSTUDY or a social security payment)? Yes, go to Step 10 No, go to Step 9
9	State care + Read more ... To determine if a student or Australian Apprentice is in state care, see ABSTUDY customer in state care. Is the student or Australian Apprentice in state care? Yes, go to Step 10 No, go to Step 11
10	Independence status not met + Read more ... The student or Australian Apprentice is not eligible for ABSTUDY independence under the UTLAH category. Complete the following tasks: Consider whether the student or Australian Apprentice is: independent on other grounds, see Independence for ABSTUDY customers, or eligible for ABSTUDY away from home, see Away from home rate for ABSTUDY If appropriate, refer the student or Australian Apprentice for other assistance, for example to a Centrelink social worker, or an Indigenous Service Officer If appropriate, consult a Centrelink social worker for consideration of Special Benefit (SpB) Note: advice can be given over the phone, but the student or Australian Apprentice should be encouraged to test their eligibility, particularly in cases of discretionary decisions. Record discussion on a DOC. Procedure ends here.
11	Procedure when customer contacts + Read more ... If the student or Australian Apprentice has contacted through: $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-face-to-face.png$ a service centre, go to Step 12 $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-phone.png$ Smart Centre Call, see Table 2 ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services team, see Table 2
12	Scanning supporting documentation + Read more ... $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-face-to-face.png$ Make sure the claim/form and all supporting documents are scanned to the student or Australian Apprentice's record to allow for processing by the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services team. For more, see Scanning Centrelink documents using an MFD. Procedure ends here.

Claiming ABSTUDY UTLAH

Table 2

Step	Action
1	Claiming independence within 52 weeks + Read more ... Check if the student or Australian Apprentice: has received a payment within the previous 52 weeks, and was granted unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) To check if they received: Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Special Benefit, in Customer First: access the Independent/Homeless/Away from Home Details screen by typing NIH in Nxt: check the Action: field for HOM or IND check the Start/Reject reason: field. Find a list of grant and reject reasons by keying '?' in the field Disability Support Pension, in Customer First: access the Pension Disability Information screen by keying 'PDI' in Nxt: check if the Independent Living Code: field has the reason code UTY recorded Tertiary Access Payment, in Process Direct: access the TAP claim eligibility data screen by keying 'TPCD' in Super Key check the TAP Circumstance Details section to see if a Parental income exemption has been recorded Is the student or Australian Apprentice claiming ABSTUDY within 52 weeks of receiving a payment, and UTLAH was previously granted? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 5
2	Change in circumstances + Read more ... Check if the student or Australian Apprentice's circumstances have changed since the previous UTLAH assessment. To determine this, consider the following: have they returned to live at home for any periods greater than 28 days since the previous assessment was completed do they receive any continuous financial or other support from their parent(s) or guardian(s) Have their circumstances changed since the previous UTLAH assessment? Yes to any of the above questions, get a statement and record details of the discussion on a DOC. If the student or Australian Apprentice is: 15 years of age or under, immediately refer them to a Services Australia social worker. Before any grant, the social worker will undertake a risk assessment and organise for the UTLAH assessment to be commenced locally. See Unsupported under 16 year olds to be immediately referred to a Services Australia social worker 16 or 17 years of age, book a Social Work UTLAH appointment 18 years of age and over, attempt a warm transfer to the UTLAH Assessment Team (O18) No to all the above questions, go to Step 3
3	Request a statement + Read more ... Get a statement from the student or Australian Apprentice explaining their circumstances have not changed. Record a verbal statement on a DOC. If the student or Australian Apprentice is: 18 years of age or over, including a customer applying for TAP who is aged 22 and over, a UTLAH reassessment is not required, prior UTLAH eligibility continues. If the student or Australian Apprentice requests an interview with a social worker or appears they need to speak with a social worker, warm transfer to the UTLAH Assessment Team (O18). Go to Step 4 under 18 years of age, ask a social worker whether an interview is required. See the Resources page for a link to Office Locator. If a reassessment is: required, go to Step 7 not required, go to Step 4
4	Reassessment of UTLAH not required + Read more ... If the student or Apprentice has contacted through: $\\INTERNAL.DEPT.LOCAL\Shared\NAT\SERDELEXCEL\WORKPRODIMP\Operation Blueprint Migration\RDT Release Icons\32w\icon-phone.png$ Smart Centre Call, send an action request to the ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Team. Advise that prior UTLAH eligibility continues and updates must be made to the record. To send the request: Use Fast Note, select Auto Text, use Students, ABSTUDY & Apprentices > Update then select ABSTUDY UTLAH Assessment Advice request from the Template drop down box procedure ends here ABSTUDY Smart Centre Processing Services team, see Table 3.
5	Check age of student or Australian Apprentice + Read more ... Is the: student or Australian Apprentice 18 - 21 years of age, or student claiming ABSTUDY and TAP aged 18 - 23? Yes, go to Step 6 No , go to Step 7
6	Forms required for students and Australian Apprentices 18 - 21 years of age, or ABSTUDY and TAP customers aged 18 - 23 + Read more ... Complete the following tasks: Record lodgement of the UTLAH application on a DOC. Use a Fast Note Check the student or Australian Apprentice has lodged completed and signed statements: a Statement by Young Person (SY015), and Statement/s for Parents (SY016). If their parents have separated, a statement is required from each parent, unless there is no parental concern from one or both parents, see the Resources page of Assessing unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) for customers claiming or receiving Youth Allowance (YA), Disability Support Pension (DSP), Special Benefit (SpB) or Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) for scenarios. O18 will assess this If they request an interview or require assistance where they have or are at serious risk of abuse, consult with a social worker. See the Resources page for a link to Office Locator If they need help with accommodation or food, arrange for a referral. See Referral to external support services UTLAH statements must be scanned as soon as they are lodged. Once the document is classified it will map to the Over 18 UTLAH Assessment Team (O18) for assessment. For contact with O18, see the Resources page. A statement by an Independent Third Party (SY017) may be required, but this can only be determined and/or issued by the O18 team. Procedure ends here.
7	Student or Australian Apprentice is under 18 years of age + Read more ... If the student or Australian Apprentice is: 15 years of age, immediately refer them to a Services Australia social worker. Before any grant, the social worker will undertake a risk assessment and organise for the UTLAH assessment to be commenced locally. See Unsupported under 16 year olds to be immediately referred to a Services Australia social worker 16 and 17 years of age, book a Social Work UTLAH appointment Note: if they need help with accommodation or food, arrange for a referral. See Referral to external support services. Procedure ends here.

Processing ABSTUDY UTLAH

Table 3

Step	Action
1	Determination of unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) + Read more ... Has a UTLAH decision been made? Yes, go to Step 2 No, if the claim for UTLAH is part of an ABSTUDY new claim and the UTLAH decision is pending, the claim must be placed on hold for 18 days from the Date of Receipt (DOR). If a decision is not received after day 18: reject the claim using the rejection code 'OTH', see Rejecting an ABSTUDY claim send a Q134 to the student or Australian Apprentice send a follow up action request to the UTLAH team responsible for the assessment. See the Resources page for a link to Office Locator procedure ends here until a UTLAH decision is received
2	Determine the system for processing + Read more ... Is the student or Australian Apprentice eligible for ABSTUDY independence due to UTLAH? Yes, if processed in: Customer First, go to Step 7 Process Direct, go to Step 3 No, if processed in: Customer First, go to Step 8 Process Direct, go to Step 6
3	Coding independence details in Process Direct + Read more ... The independence data will prefill the Independent/Homeless/Away from Home Details (NIH) screen from information provided in the claim. To view the outcome of the of the social worker's assessment when coding the NIH, view the social worker DOC via the Interactions icon. Information in this DOC will include start/reject reason, start date and consent to contact. To check this information key 'NIH' in Super Key or select the My Circs icon. If the information does not prepopulate, or changes are required (for example, an incorrect start date recorded), it must be coded or corrected manually. Complete the following fields for manual coding: in the Action: field, key 'HOM' in the Start/Reject Reason: field, use to locate the appropriate code. There is a list of ABSTUDY Homeless (HOM) grant and rejection reasons. Select the appropriate code code the later in the Start Date: field of the: ABSTUDY start date, or date the student or Australian Apprentice became independent in the Consent to Contact: field, use to locate the appropriate code Go to Step 4.
4	Australian Apprentice + Read more ... Is the customer an Australian Apprentice? Yes, go to Step 10 No, go to Step 5
5	Regional Location Details (RLD) screen + Read more ... For qualifying students, the Regional Location Details (RLD) screen will prepopulate information provided in the online claim. Check the information and dates on the RLD screen are correct. For information on coding the RLD screen, see Relocation Scholarship (RS) payment and coding. Go to Step 10.
6	Coding rejection of independence in Process Direct + Read more ... Correct the prepopulated information on the Independent/Homeless/Away from Home Details (NIH) screen if the student or Australian Apprentice has not met eligibility for independence due to UTLAH. To view the outcome of the Social Workers assessment when coding the NIH screen, view the social worker DOC via the Interactions icon. To correct an entry: key 'NIH' in Super Key or select the My Circs icon in the Start/Reject Reason: field use to locate the appropriate code. There is a list of ABSTUDY Homeless (HOM) rejection reasons. Select the appropriate code code the later in the Start Date: field of the: ABSTUDY start date, or date they did not meet independence in the Consent to Contact: field, use to locate the appropriate code Record details of the decision in Notes or Document annotations. The information must indicate the grounds the claim for independence has been rejected, and the reasons for the rejection. Procedure ends here.
7	Coding independence details in Customer First + Read more ... The student or Australian Apprentice meets eligibility for independence due to unreasonable to live at home. The coding instructions are included in the social worker DOC. Complete the following on the Independent/Homeless/Away from Home Details (NIH) screen: in the Action: field, key 'HOM' code the later in the Start Date: field of the: ABSTUDY start date, or date the student or Australian Apprentice became independent code the Start/Reject Reason: field as advised code the Consent to contact: field as advised If the student is studying an approved scholarship course, in the To update regional classification details, go to RLD: field, key 'Y'. For more information on coding the Regional Location Details (RLD) screen, see Relocation Scholarship (RS) payment and coding. Go to Step 9.
8	Coding rejection of independence in Customer First + Read more ... The student or Australian Apprentice does not meet independence due to UTLAH. The coding instructions are included in the social worker DOC. Complete the following on the Independent/Homeless/Away from Home Details (NIH) screen: in the Action: field, key 'HOM' code the later in the Start Date: field of the: ABSTUDY start date, or date they did not meet independence code the Start/Reject Reason: field, as advised code the Consent to contact: field, code as advised Record details of the decision on a DOC. The information must indicate the grounds the claim for independence has been rejected, and the reasons for the rejection. Procedure ends here.
9	Confirm bank account details and record decision in Customer First + Read more ... Record the bank account details correctly and check whether they have a payment and/or correspondence nominee. See Nominees for arrangements relating to ABSTUDY customers. Record details of the decision on a DOC. The information must indicate the grounds the claim for independence has been granted. Go to Step 11.
10	Confirm bank account details and record decision in Process Direct + Read more ... Record the bank account details correctly and check whether they have a payment and/or a correspondence nominee. See Nominees for arrangements relating to ABSTUDY customers. Record details of the decision in Notes or Document annotations. The information must indicate the grounds the claim for independence has been granted. Go to Step 11.
11	Determine if a current Child Support assessment exists + Read more ... To check if there is a current Child Support assessment for the student or Australian Apprentice, see Maintenance Income Test (MIT) for ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance (YA). Is there a current Child Support assessment for the student or Australian Apprentice? Yes, go to Step 12 No, procedure ends here
12	Terminating event for Child Support - send an ACTDOC to CSJ + Read more ... Send an ABSTUDY Child Support Update Fast Note. Use Fast Note, select Auto text, use Students, ABSTUDY and Apprentices > Update > ABSTUDY Child Support Update. Complete the details within the Fast Note and select Confirm, ensuring the Fast Note remains open.