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.

2.8.3.30 ACCS (temporary financial hardship) - evidence

Summary

This section sets out the evidentiary requirements for ACCS (temporary financial hardship) and covers:

  • evidentiary requirements overview
  • types of evidence required.

Evidentiary requirements overview

Individuals (1.1.I.90) will need to provide evidence that shows:

  • they have experienced a temporary financial hardship circumstance
  • the circumstance/s occurred no more than 6 months before the application is made, and
  • they have experienced a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees, as a result of the temporary financial hardship circumstance.

Types of evidence required

Individuals are required to upload appropriate forms of evidence of their temporary financial hardship circumstance.

Examples of evidence for each type of circumstance include:

Type of circumstance Examples of evidence
The unexpected death of a partner or child
  • death certificate (which may already be available to Centrelink)
  • court documentation
  • signed statement from social worker, counsellor, doctor or other party
  • letter from a hospital or general practitioner or a funeral notice
  • receipts relating to medical or funeral expense
  • statutory declaration
Loss of employment
  • Employment Separation Certificate
  • letter from employer
  • letter from accountant
  • statutory declaration
Loss of income or failure of a business
  • legal documents indicating business failure
  • bank statements
  • reports from accountants and financial advisers (where there has been an existing relationship) or similar evidence of loss of income
  • statutory declaration
Loss of income due to the death of someone who paid you child support
  • verification of death, for example a funeral notice or death notice
  • evidence of the child support arrangements
  • evidence of child support payments, for example, a bank statement showing regular payments from the deceased child support payer
  • letter from an accountant
Adversely effected by a major disaster
  • fire brigade report
  • police report
  • insurance report
  • statutory declaration

If you’re affected by a formally declared natural disaster and you’re eligible for assistance, you can give us proof of either:

  • your Australian Government Disaster Relief Payment (AGDRP) or disaster recovery allowance (DRA) application
  • your state or territory government hardship relief payment
Destruction or severe damage to your home, necessitating relocation of the family
  • fire report
  • police report
  • insurance report
  • statutory declaration
Victim of domestic violence
  • police/incident report
  • medical certificate
  • court documentation
  • signed statement from social worker, counsellor, doctor or other party
  • statutory declaration
Other evidence to support the link between the above circumstance and financial hardship
  • statutory declaration
  • any other evidence the individual has to explain their circumstances
  • information that links the circumstance to the financial hardship (payment of rental bond, bank statements reflecting reduction of income, essential expenditure and reduction in savings, report from financial counselling service, or debt repayment agreements)

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