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.

4.14 Claims for SIFS

Introduction

Note: SIFS has been closed to new recipients since 1 July 2017. Grandfathering arrangements permit eligible recipients with entitlement to SIFS as at 30 June 2017 to continue to receive SIFS as long as they remain continuously eligible for the payment. See 2.11.1.

Individuals who receive FTB will be automatically assessed under the SIFS review process (6.7) once FTB reconciliation conditions have been met (6.4), without the need for a specific claim.

Individuals who receive FTB for part of the relevant year will automatically be assessed for SIFS eligibility during this period (6.7), once the FTB reconciliation conditions have been met. If the individual continues to have a SIFS qualifying child (2.11.2) in their care for the part of the relevant income year that they did not receive FTB, they may submit a separate claim for this period after the end of the income year.

Individuals who do not receive FTB for any part of a relevant income year, but who have a SIFS qualifying child in their care during the income year, may submit a claim after the end of the income year.

The appropriate rate of SIFS will be paid to the individual where the family meets both the primary and secondary earner income tests (and all other eligibility criteria) (2.11.1).

A SIFS claim for an income year must be made after the end of that income year, and before the end of the following income year. For example, if an eligible individual with a SIFS qualifying child receiving an 'at home' rate of YA wishes to claim SIFS for the 2023-24 income year, they must lodge their claim before 30 June 2025.

Act reference: FA(Admin)Act section 65K Need for a claim, section 65KA How to claim, section 65KB Tax file number requirement to be satisfied for claims for a past period, section 65KK Determination of past period entitlement claim, section 65KP Payment of single income family supplement—no claim required, section 65KQ Payment of single income family supplement—claim required, section 65KR Secretary's power to request tax file numbers

Policy reference: FA Guide 2.11.2 SIFS qualifying child, 2.11.1 SIFS eligibility criteria, 4.1.1 TFN requirements, 6.4 Reconciliation, 6.7 SIFS review & payment process

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