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.R.55 Receiving

Definition

A recipient to whom a social security pension or benefit is payable is receiving a social security pension or benefit. Unless the following exception applies, this does not include a period when the rate is nil.

Exception: A recipient who is in an employment income nil rate period is taken to be receiving a social security pension or benefit for the purposes of remaining qualified for some supplementary benefits.

The table below lists the family assistance (FA) payments and the supplementary benefits that may be payable when an individual is receiving a social security pension or benefit. If more detail is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.

FA payments More detail
FTB Part A - non-income tested FA Guide 3.1.1.10 Calculating a rate of FTB - overview
CCS - non-income tested FA Guide 3.5 CCS entitlement
Supplementary benefits More detail

APWS for eligible recipients participating in WFD

 3.8.18 APWS - qualification & payability
Language, literacy and numeracy supplement 3.8.11 LLNS - qualification & payability
Pensioner education supplement 3.8.3.10 Qualification for PES
Telephone allowance 3.8.7.10 TAL - qualification & payability
RA - A person with a partner who is in the employment income nil rate period is treated for RA purposes as though the partner were still receiving their social security pension or benefit. 3.8.1.10 Qualification for RA, 3.8.1.106 Special RA rules for couples & families with children
Effect on partner income test. For the purposes of applying the allowance income test to their partner, have their partner treated as if both members of the couple are receiving a social security pension or benefit.  

Act reference: SSAct section 23(2) For the purposes of this Act (other than section 735), a person is taken to be receiving …, section 23(4A) Despite subsection (4) …, section 23(4AA) For the purposes of subsection (4A) …, section 1070 When this Part applies (RA)

FAAct section 3(1) Definitions

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.12 Employment income nil rate period

Last reviewed: