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.

11.1.3.100 Unspent funds when a person's priority needs have been met under income management

Unspent income managed funds when priority needs have been met

One of the principles of income management is that funds cannot be unreasonably withheld from a person. This means that if a person's current and reasonably foreseeable priority needs have been met, and that person seeks access to unspent funds for purposes other than for obtaining an excluded good or service, the request cannot be unreasonably refused, provided action taken by the delegate is taken in accordance with the SS(Admin)Act Part 3B Division 6.

Example: Eliza is subject to income management under the Child Protection Measure. The delegate is satisfied that her current priority needs have been met and that she will be able to meet her foreseeable future priority needs and those of her children. Eliza has unspent funds remaining in her income management account and wishes to use these unspent funds to take her children to the local agricultural show. Although the show is not a priority need, as Eliza has already met her priority needs for the fortnight, the delegate assists Eliza to use the unspent income managed funds to buy tickets to the show.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act Part 3B Division 6 Debits from income management accounts

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