11.2.7.10 Start date for income management under the Cape York initiative

Start date for income management

If SS(Admin)Act section 123UF(1) or section 123UF(2) applies to an individual, income management will generally commence from the first pay day following the initial interview. At the initial interview the delegate will look closely at the individual's priority needs and set up initial disbursements, will explain the process of income management and may make a referral for either financial counselling and/or Family Income Management. The initial interview must be held approximately within 2 weeks of receiving the notice. It is desirable that initial interviews be held face-to-face, but they may be held via phone to arrange one-off payments, provided that a face-to-face initial appointment occurs within 4 weeks from the receipt of the income management notice.

If the individual fails to attend this initial interview, income management will automatically commence from the first pay day after the set appointment time. No disbursements will be able to be made until the individual contacts the delegate. Where an individual does not attend the initial interview, the delegate will make 3 attempts to contact the individual in the following fortnight. The individual should not be put into hardship while waiting for a second interview so necessary disbursements could be organised over the phone as one-off payments, however, the initial face-to-face meeting must still be held as soon as possible. No ongoing disbursements should be arranged prior to a face-to-face meeting.