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.

3.1.5.60 Bereavement payment provisions for couples - JSP & YA recipients

Summary

This topic explains the bereavement payment provisions relevant to a person whose partner has recently died and who is claiming or receiving JSP or YA. This topic includes the following subjects:

  • overview of bereavement assistance payments available to JSP and YA recipients
  • the one-off PBV for JSP and YA
  • the LBP for JSP and YA
  • bereavement assistance payments for long-term income support recipients (1.1.L.120).

Recently bereaved JSP and YA claimants and recipients may also be exempt from mutual obligation requirements and from having to serve certain waiting or preclusion periods during the bereavement period. These provisions are covered in the topics referenced below.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.2.70 Exemptions from waiting periods, 3.1.7.10 Who is affected by the SWPP, 3.2.7.30 YA full-time students, 3.11.5.60 Exemption following the death of person's partner, 4.3.4.10 Application of the income maintenance period (IMP)

Overview of bereavement assistance payments

When a JSP or YA recipient's partner dies, the recipient may be eligible for a one-off bereavement payment to assist them with upfront expenses.

There are 2 types of one-off bereavement payments available under JSP and YA:

  • the one-off PBV, and
  • the LBP.

Note: A person can only receive one type of bereavement payment under JSP or YA, not both.

Act reference: SSAct Part 2.11 Division 10 Bereavement payments (YA), Part 2.12 Division 9 Bereavement payments (JSP)

The one-off PBV for JSP & YA

The one-off PBV is available to JSP and YA recipients with a partner who dies on or after 20 March 2020. The amount of the one-off PBV is calculated based on the recipient's rate of payment on the relevant day (1.1.R.120). An additional amount is included in the PBV calculation for a person who is pregnant when their partner died.

Act reference: SSAct section 567FA Qualification for payment under this Subdivision (YA), section 660LH Qualification for payment under this Subdivision (JSP)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5.92 The one-off PBV for JSP & YA recipients, 3.1.5.94 Calculating the amount of the one-off PBV - JSP recipients, 3.1.5.96 Calculating the amount of the one-off PBV - YA recipients

The LBP for JSP & YA

The LBP is only available to long-term social security recipients with a long-term social security recipient or pension recipient partner.

Generally, following notification of a partner's death, if a JSP or YA recipient is eligible for the LBP, Services Australia would calculate the entitlement and issue the payment. The LBP represents the difference between the amount a couple would have received during the remainder of the bereavement period, if the partner had not died, and the recipient's new single rate.

Act reference: SSAct section 567B Lump sum payable in some circumstances (YA), 660LC Lump sum payable in some circumstances (JSP)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5.70 The lump sum bereavement payment - member of a couple

Bereavement assistance payments for long-term income support recipients

JSP and YA recipients who are long-term social security recipients, and whose partner was a long-term social security recipient, social security pensioner or service pensioner when they died, may notionally qualify for both the one-off PBV and the LBP, however, they can only be paid 1 of these payments.

Act reference: SSAct section 567FA Qualification for payment under this Subdivision (YA), section 660LH Qualification for payment under this Subdivision (JSP)

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5.92 The one-off PBV for JSP & YA recipients

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