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.

11.1.10.60 Value of debits exceeds credit balance of income management account

Debit exceeds credit balance in income management account

If at any stage the delegate pays funds out of the person's income management account and:

  • this results in the person's income management account having a negative balance, and
  • this action was the result of an administrative error or oversight

then such an action (payment) will still be valid and the amount paid out in excess of the amount in the person's income management account will be a debt owed by the person to the Commonwealth. This debt will be raised as soon as possible after Centrelink becomes aware of the error.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 123ZJ Value of action taken under Division 6 exceeds credit balance of income management account

Balance of income management account falls below amount required to record payment

If Centrelink makes a payment out of a person's income management account, and before recording this debit in the person's Income Management Record, the amount in a person's account falls below this amount, then Centrelink can either:

  • raise debt due to Commonwealth for this amount, or
  • debit a person's account by the amount, but only if the person's account has funds over the initial amount (e.g. if the person's account has fallen below the initial amount but has subsequently been credited with additional funds, see example 2 below).

If necessary, Centrelink will work with the recipient to determine which deduction option is the most suitable for the person's circumstances.

Note: Income managed funds can be used to make lump sum repayments towards Centrelink debts. This action can only be taken with the agreement of the person, and the delegate MUST still ensure that the priority needs of the person and those of their partner and dependants are met first, before an amount is repaid to the Commonwealth (11.1.12.10).

Example 1: John has a balance of $500 in his income management account, and John buys a washing machine for $450 by arranging a direct payment from Centrelink. However, before this amount is debited from John's account further debits are made from the account; $150 for food. Centrelink will raise a debt due to the Commonwealth for $450, because they are unable to withdraw the $450 from John's account.

Example 2: Again John has a balance of $500 in his income management account, and John buys a dryer, to accompany his washing machine, for $400. Before this amount is debited from John's account $150 is debited from the account for food costs and $200 is credited to his account by way of a payment.

Because the $150 deduction reduced John's income management account to $350, which is below the purchase amount for the dryer, Centrelink has 2 options:

  • raise a debt due to the Commonwealth for $450 (and leave the balance of the income management account unchanged), or
  • deduct the $450 from John's account.

Centrelink will contact John and discuss which payment option is the most appropriate.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 123ZIA Balance of income management account falls below value of action taken under Division 6

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