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.

3.5.1.130 Supplementary benefits & employment assistance for PP recipients

PP - other benefits

PP recipients may also qualify for other assistance, if they meet the relevant qualification criteria. The benefits that may be applicable for both PPS and PPP are:

  • rent assistance (1.2.7.10)
  • energy supplement (1.2.7.50)
  • pension supplement* if over age pension age (1.2.10.10)
  • language, literacy and numeracy supplement (1.2.7.110)
  • education entry payment (1.2.7.60)
  • APWS for recipients participating in the following activities; WFD or NWEP (1.2.7.180)
  • remote area allowance (1.2.7.80)
  • bereavement payment (3.1.5)
  • crisis payment (1.2.6.30)
  • FTB Part A (FA Guide 1.2.1)
  • FTB Part B (FA Guide 1.2.1)
  • child care subsidy (FA Guide 1.2.6)
  • additional child care subsidy (FA Guide 1.2.7)
  • stillborn baby payment (FA Guide 1.2.19).

*All PPS recipients under age pension age receive the pension supplement basic amount.

Other assistance PP recipients may get depends on if they are getting PPS or PPP and their circumstances:

Benefit PPS PPP
telephone allowance (1.2.7.70) Yes, if under age pension age In certain circumstances (3.8.7.10 TAL - qualification & payability)
pharmaceutical allowance (1.2.7.20) Yes, if under age pension age In certain circumstances (3.8.2.10 PhA - qualification & payability)
pensioner concession card (1.2.8.20) Yes In certain circumstances (3.9.2.10 Qualification for PCC)
pensioner education supplement (1.2.7.30) Yes In certain circumstances (3.8.3.10 Qualification for PES)
health care card (1.2.8.10) (In certain circumstances) 3.9.1.10 Qualification for HCC - automatic issue Yes

Act reference: SSAct section 1068B-E1 Qualification for PhA - benefit PP (partnered), section 1068A-C1 Qualification for PhA - pension PP (single), section 1068A-F1 RAA - pension PP (single), section 1068B-G1 RAA - benefit PP (partnered), section 1061Q Qualification for TAL, section 665A Payment to recipient of pension PP (single) - EdEP, section 665ZU Payment to recipient of PP (partnered) - EdEP, section 1061PJ(2) Payments attracting PES, section 1061ZK Qualification: general rules (HCC), section 1061ZMA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1061ZA General qualification rules (PCC), section 1061ZEA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1070A Effect of this Part (RA)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.9.1.10 Qualification for HCC - automatic issue, 3.15.2 ES - qualification & payability, 3.8.2 PhA - qualification & payability, 3.8.1 RA - qualification & payability, 3.8.8 RAA - qualification & payability, 3.8.7 TAL - qualification & payability, 3.12.1 Pension supplement - qualification & payability, 3.8.6 EdEP - qualification & payability, 3.8.3 PES - qualification & payability, 3.9.1 HCC - Qualification Provisions, 3.9.2 PCC - Qualification Provisions, 3.7.4 CrP - qualification & payability, 3.15.1 CEA - qualification & payability, 3.15.2 ES - qualification & payability

Employment incentives

PP recipients may receive the following incentives to take up a job:

  • access to working credits
  • payment of certain supplementary benefits during the employment income nil rate period
  • continued use of their HCC or PCC for a certain period, and
  • able to have their payment resumed during the employment income nil rate period if they report a fall in income sufficient for PP to be payable again.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(4A) Despite subsection (4) …, section 23(4AA) For the purposes of subsection (4A) …, section 1061ZMA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1061ZEA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1061ZA General qualification rules (PCC), section 1061ZK Qualification: general rules (HCC)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.11 Working credit, 3.1.12 Employment income nil rate period, 3.9.1.10 Qualification for HCC - automatic issue, 3.9.2.30 PCC extension rules

Last reviewed: