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.

1.1.P.205 Permanent & temporary hardship

Usage

These definitions apply to social security pension payments and social security benefit payments and are only to be used when applying hardship provisions.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security pension', section 23(1)-'social security benefit'

Definition: permanent hardship

Permanent hardship means that the income support recipient's financial situation is unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future.

Definition: temporary hardship

Temporary hardship means that the income support recipient's financial situation is likely to improve in the foreseeable future.

Policy reference: SS Guide 4.6.7 Asset hardship rules

Last reviewed: 21 March 2022

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