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.

2.11.2 SIFS qualifying child

Introduction

From 1 July 2017, SIFS will be closed to new recipients. Grandfathering arrangements will permit eligible recipients with entitlement to SIFS at 30 June 2017 to continue to receive SIFS as long as they remain eligible for the payment. See 2.11.1.

A SIFS qualifying child is an FTB child (2.1.1) who is a resident of Australia (2.1.2.10) and not an absent overseas FTB child (2.1.2.40).

A SIFS qualifying child also includes a child who would be an FTB child (2.1.1) except that the child (or someone on the child's behalf) is receiving an 'at home' rate of one of the following payments:

  • disability support pension
  • youth allowance
  • special benefit
  • ABSTUDY living allowance, or
  • an education allowance under the Veterans' Children Education Scheme or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme.

Example: If a person receives SpB, but would otherwise be on YA under the YA qualifying child definition, and otherwise also be an FTB child if they were not receiving SpB, then they are eligible to be assessed for SIFS.

In some circumstances the child can be a SIFS qualifying child, even if they are on job seeker YA. For example:

  • Young people aged 18 and 19 years old on job seeker YA may be a SIFS qualifying child for part of the financial year (that is, from 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2012) where they were previously studying toward and completed their year 12 certificate.
  • Children aged under 18 years old on job seeker YA who had completed year 12 (for example, May 2012) - remain a SIFS qualifying child for the entire 2012-13 financial year or up until their 18th birthday.

Act reference: FAAct section 57G When an individual is eligible for SIFS in normal circumstances

Death of child before the payment is made

SIFS can be paid to an individual whose child dies, provided the eligibility requirements for SIFS are met.

In cases where an individual is eligible for SIFS with one qualifying child and that child dies, the individual remains eligible for SIFS for 14 weeks after the death of the qualifying child.

In cases where the only qualifying child dies and the ensuing 14-week bereavement period spans 2 financial years, the payment for the period in the second financial year will be paid on the assumption that the individual's taxable income for the second financial year is the same as the first financial year and the individual's partner's (if relevant) taxable income for the second financial year is the same as the first financial year.

Act reference: FAAct section 57GF Eligibility for a single amount of SIFS if a qualifying child dies

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