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.

3.8.6.20 Qualification for EdEP - PPS, DSP, CP & SpB

Summary

This topic explains qualification criteria for EdEP for PPS, DSP, CP and SpB recipients, as well as the following related issues:

  • separate claim form is not required
  • early claim
  • late claim
  • qualification when recipient is overseas
  • incorrect EdEP payment, and
  • legislative references.

Qualification criteria for JSP and PPP recipients are discussed in 3.8.6.10.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.6.10 Qualification for EdEP - JSP & PPP

Qualification (1.1.Q.10) criteria

To qualify for EdEP, a PPS, DSP, CP or SpB recipient must meet the criteria listed in the following table. Where more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.

Criterion More detail
ALL of the following

PES is payable to the person, AND

Explanation: ABSTUDY PES is NOT a qualification for EdEP.

This topic.

1.2.7.30 Pensioner education supplement (PES) - description

Have NOT received an EdEP that was claimed in the current calendar year.

Explanation: EdEP is paid only once in any calendar year.

-

Receiving ONE of the following EdEP qualified payments
  • parenting payment (single), OR
  • disability support pension, OR
  • carer payment, OR

3.5.1 PP - qualification & payability

3.6.1 DSP- qualification & payability

3.6.4 CP - qualification & payability

Receives SpB BUT be ineligible for PPS because of residency requirements.

3.7.1 SpB - qualification & payability

Act reference: SSAct Part 2.13A Education entry payment

Policy reference: SS Guide 5.1.7.50 EdEP - current rates

PES verifications

Receipt of PES should be verified before payment of an EdEP.

Separate claim form is not required

A separate claim form is not required because verification of receipt of PES is taken to be a claim for EdEP. For PPS, DSP, CP or SpB, once PES is payable, an EdEP should be paid automatically by the system.

Early claim

Although a separate formal claim for an EdEP is not required, a PPS, DSP, CP or SpB recipient may lodge an early claim for EdEP up to 13 weeks before they become qualified for EdEP. However, they can only be paid EdEP while PES is payable to them and the person has not already received EdEP within the current calendar year.

Example: A recipient intends to start studying in January 2022 and lodges an EdEP claim in December 2020. Once their PES becomes payable in January 2022, their EdEP payment will be made.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act Schedule 2 clause 4 Start day-early claim, section 39 Deemed refusal of claim

Late claim

A recipient can claim EdEP AFTER they have started the course if they:

  • are receiving PES, AND
  • are receiving one of the following qualifying payments
    • parenting payment (single), OR
    • disability support pension, OR
    • carer payment, OR
    • special benefit, AND
  • have not already been paid an EdEP in the same calendar year.

Policy reference: SS Guide 8.1.1 Claim lodgement provisions

Qualification when overseas

A PPS, DSP, CP or SpB recipient who is overseas qualifies for EdEP provided they remain eligible for PES while overseas.

Note: PES remains payable if:

  • the recipient's absence overseas is for the purpose of undertaking part of the studies for the course of education for which the person qualifies for PES, OR
  • the recipient's absence overseas is for any other purpose but is less than 6 weeks.

Example: A recipient is required to complete one semester of an Asian Studies degree overseas. The recipient qualifies for EdEP because the study is part of the course.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061PN Absence of persons overseas

Incorrect EdEP payment

If a PPS, DSP, CP or SpB recipient receives an EdEP when they are NOT qualified, the payment is considered a recoverable debt.

Example: A recipient receives EdEP BUT they are not eligible for PES.

The payment also becomes a debt if the person is required to pay enrolment fees for the course in relation to which the EdEP payment was made and the person does not pay those fees in the calendar year in respect of which the payment was made.

Example: A recipient receives EdEP for an approved course BUT does NOT pay a course fee. The educational institution cancels the recipient's enrolment. The recipient is NOT qualified for EdEP because they are NOT enrolled in an approved course.

Act reference: SSAct section 1223 Debts arising from lack of qualification, overpayment etc., section 1224B Education entry payment debt

Legislation

The following table lists the references for qualification and need for a claim for EdEP.

Payment type SSAct reference/qualification
Parenting payment (single) section 665A Payment to recipient of pension PP (single), section 665C Need for claim
Disability support pension section 665E Payment to a disability support pensioner, section 665G Need for claim
Carer payment section 665ZFA Payment to a CP recipient, section 665ZFC Need for claim
Special benefit section 665M Payment to an SpB recipient, section 665P Need for claim

Last reviewed: