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.

3.6.7.175 Bereavement provisions for CA

Death of a child with a disability

A person receiving CA (child) may qualify for a CA bereavement payment upon the death of the child for whom they had caring responsibilities.

A 14-week bereavement payment is payable from the date of the child's death when, immediately before the child's death, the child was an FTB child (FA Guide 2.1.1) of the person in receipt of CA (child). This is paid as a lump sum.

Where, immediately before the child's death, the child was NOT an FTB child of the person in receipt of CA (child), the person may be qualified for CA for 4 weeks from the date of the child's death.

This applies also on the death of a child who did not, on their own, qualify the carer for CA (child), but who qualified the carer because of the combined scores under the DCLA (1.1.D.170) of 2 children.

Note: The carer does not have to be in receipt of FTB payments for the child to meet the FTB child definition.

Death of an adult with a disability

A person receiving CA (adult) may qualify for a CA bereavement payment upon the death of the disabled adult for whom they had caring responsibilities.

A 14-week bereavement payment is payable from the date of the disabled adult's death in the following circumstances:

  • the carer was in receipt of CA (adult) for the care of a disabled adult on the day the disabled adult died
  • the carer was also receiving an income support payment (other than CP) on the day the disabled adult died, AND
  • the carer did not otherwise qualify for a bereavement payment because of their receipt of an income support payment (under the SSAct or VEA).

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'income support payment', section 992J Continued CA during bereavement rate continuation period where disabled child dies, section 992K Lump sum payable in some circumstances (death of disabled child), section 992L Continuation of qualification for CA for 4 weeks in some cases where recipient's disabled child dies, section 992LA Continued CA during bereavement rate continuation period where disabled adult dies, section 992LB Lump sum payable in some circumstances (death of disabled adult)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5 Bereavement payment provisions

FA Guide 2.2 FTB eligibility for individuals

Last reviewed: