The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.10.2.60 Recipients who receive multiple payments

Summary

As a general rule, a person who receives more than one payment will have the entitlement periods (1.1.E.125) for all of those payments aligned. The intention of this rule is to ensure that changes of circumstances are taken into account at the same point in time for every payment wherever possible.

'Offset' family assistance & CA payments

If a recipient or a recipient couple are in receipt of a social security pension or benefit as well as FTB and/or CA, they may choose to have their entitlement periods for these later payments offset into the alternate week.

Example: Fred and Mary both receive their DSP on Friday. Mary can choose to have her family assistance payment made on Friday of the alternate week.

Where this option is chosen, the entitlement periods for the payments are also offset by 1 week.

This policy addresses concerns that some families may find budgeting difficult if all of the family income arrived at the same time.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security pension', section 23(1)-'social security benefit'

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.10.3.70 'Offset' family assistance & CA payments

FA Guide 1.2.1 Family tax benefit (FTB) - description

Last reviewed: