3.8.11 LLNS - qualification & payability
Qualification
To be qualified for the LLNS a person must be receiving an eligible income support payment and have participated in language, literacy and numeracy training which forms part of the language, literacy and numeracy program administered by the Department of State responsible for education and training at least one day during the instalment period and did not also receive PES or a CPS in that instalment period. A person who is receiving income support at a nil rate is still eligible to receive the supplement.
The eligible income support payments include:
- jobseeker payment
- youth allowance
- parenting payment, and
- disability support pension.
Payability
LLNS is not payable to people unless the participant has participated in at least one day of training during a pay period. Some instances where a person is considered to be participating in the training, but did not attend the training with the provider may include:
- people suspended from the training, or
- the training provider may close down for a short period, i.e. Christmas period.
The language, literacy and numeracy provider is required to provide advice to Centrelink regarding the commencement, suspension or exit of a participant in Department of State approved training such as Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program.
Participants are not required to complete a 'claim for payment' application form to receive LLNS. They also do not need to demonstrate that they have additional costs in undertaking the training.
Act reference: SSAct section 1047 Definition, section 1048 General statement of qualification, section 1049 LLNS not payable in certain circumstances, section 1050 Rate increase attributable to LLNS
SS(Admin)Act section 12B Language, literacy and numeracy supplement
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 section 52-15 Supplementary amounts of payments
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8 Supplementary benefits - qualification & payability, 2.2.13 Supplementary benefits verification, 5.1.7 Supplementary benefits - current rates, 3.8.3.10 Qualification for PES, 5.3.1.10 Taxation of payments & PAYG payment summary - individual non-business
LLNS during an employment income nil rate period
A recipient who is qualified for LLNS can receive it during an employment income nil rate period, because during that period they are taken to be receiving (1.1.R.55) their social security pension or benefit for the purposes of LLNS.
Example: Elizabeth is receiving PPS and she is doing an approved literacy course at TAFE to improve her writing and reading skills. Four weeks before the end of her course, she starts a job. The income from her job exceeds the cut-out point and PPS is no longer payable so Elizabeth starts an employment income nil rate period. She stays on an employment income nil rate period because of her income for the full 6 fortnights, before her PPS is cancelled. She finishes her course as planned, and continues to receive LLNS for the last 4 weeks of her study.