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.S.230 Special benefit homeless person (SpB)

Definition

A homeless person is a person who does not live at the home of either or both of their parents because:

of extreme family breakdown or other similar exceptional circumstances, OR
it would be unreasonable to expect the person to do so as there would be a serious risk to his or her physical or mental well-being due to violence, sexual abuse or other similar unreasonable circumstances, OR
their parents are unable to provide the person with a suitable home owing to lack of stable accommodation.

An SpB homeless person CANNOT:

be a member of a couple (1.1.M.120), OR
have dependent children, OR
be receiving continuous support from a parent or guardian, OR
be receiving continuous income support from the Australian, a state or territory government.

Act reference: SSAct section 5(2) Dependent child-under 16, section 739 SpB homeless person

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.7.1 SpB - qualification & payability

Last reviewed: 21 March 2022

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