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.T.50 Temporary inability to care

Definition

A person may be eligible for PLP on a day despite not being primary carer of the child where:

  • the person was the primary carer of the child or is expected to be the primary carer within 26 weeks, and
  • the person is unable to be the primary carer of the child due to circumstances beyond their control, and
  • the period of temporary inability is for a continuous period of less than 26 weeks, and
  • there is no payability determination in force that PLP is payable for the child to another person for the same day, and
  • Centrelink is satisfied that the person would have been the child's primary carer except for the person's temporary inability to be the child's primary carer.

A person may be eligible for DAPP on a day despite not caring for the child where:

  • the person was caring for the child or is expected to be caring for the child within 2 weeks, and
  • the person is unable to care for the child due to circumstances beyond their control, and
  • the period of temporary inability is for a continuous period of less than 2 weeks, and
  • there is no payability determination in force that DAPP is payable for the child to another person for the same day, and
  • Centrelink is satisfied that the person would have been caring for the child except for the person's temporary inability to be the child's carer.

Note: The temporary inability to care provisions do not cover loss of care for the child (1.1.L.30).

Act reference: PPL Rules Part 2 Eligibility for PLP, Part 6 Eligibility for DAPP

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