2.8.3.20 ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - application

Summary

This topic sets out how to apply for the ACCS (temporary financial hardship) and covers:

• applying for ACCS (temporary financial hardship),
• information required when applying for ACCS (temporary financial hardship),
• applying for more than 1 child,
• re-applying for the same circumstance.

Applying for ACCS (temporary financial hardship)

Only the individual (1.1.I.90) who is CCS eligible for the sessions of care (1.1.S.40) can apply for ACCS (temporary financial hardship). An application must be made to Centrelink via:

• the Customer Access Point,
• over the counter, or
• by telephone.

Individuals can apply for ACCS (temporary financial hardship) at the same time they are completing a claim for CCS eligibility, or at any time where the individual is already CCS eligible.

Information required when applying for ACCS (temporary financial hardship)

An individual needs to provide the following information in their application for ACCS (temporary financial hardship):

• details about the individual making the application,
• details about the child/ren to whom the application relates,
• the requested start date and length of time (in whole weeks) that the individual believes they will be experiencing financial hardship to a maximum of 13 weeks,
• the circumstance/s that are causing the individual to experience temporary financial hardship:
  • what is the circumstance that occurred - a description of what happened,
  • when did the circumstance occur,
  • how did that circumstance impact on the individual or family, and
• required evidence to support the individual's application.

Applying for more than 1 child

While a determination of ACCS (temporary financial hardship) is linked to a particular child and a particular individual, if the individual has multiple children, the individual can select which children the application relates to and the application can be used to make multiple determinations (1 for each child selected). It is important to note that the application for each child must be made within the 6 month period from the date the application was made.

Re- applying for the same circumstance

If the individual continues to experience financial hardship due to a temporary financial hardship circumstance, the individual can apply again for the same event if:

• less than maximum of 13 weeks of ACCS (temporary financial hardship) had been granted previously, and
• if the date of the circumstance is still within 6 months of the date of the new (second) application.

An individual can receive no more than 13 weeks in total for any particular temporary financial hardship circumstance.