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.

3.10.2.20 Entitlement period - general rules

Entitlement period already recorded

Where an income support recipient or their partner already has an entitlement period (1.1.E.125) recorded, because they are in receipt of another payment, they will normally have the same period apply to them for any other payment.

Exception: FTB or CA recipients who may have their entitlement periods and payment delivery days (1.1.D.55) offset.

Note: FTB concepts refer to 'instalment period'.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.10.2.60 Recipients who receive multiple payments, 3.10.3.70 'Offset' family assistance & CA payments

FA Guide 1.1.I.100 Instalment amount, instalment claim, instalment period (FTB)

Entitlement period set at claim

A recipient's first payment delivery day will be automatically set for 14 days after their date of claim. Consequently, their entitlement period will end either one or 2 days before their delivery day. Most pension, family assistance, PP and MOB recipients will therefore have a short first entitlement period, in order to set up their regular 14 day entitlement period.

Examples:

  • A recipient claims DSP on a Wednesday. His/her delivery day code will be a Wednesday. The recipient's entitlement period will end on the Monday immediately prior to the delivery day. The recipient's first payment will be for 12 days.
  • A recipient claims JSP on a Wednesday. His/her delivery day code will be on a Wednesday but the entitlement period ends on the Tuesday immediately prior to the delivery day. The recipient's first payment will be for 13 days.
  • A recipient claims Age on a Monday. His/her delivery day code will be on a Monday but the entitlement period ends on a Thursday (2 working days prior to the delivery day). The recipient's first payment will be for 11 days.

The first entitlement period can be shorter where:

  • the recipient requests a different payment delivery day
  • the recipient has a partner (1.1.P.85), or
  • the recipient is being paid through group payment arrangements (1.1.G.68).

Example: The recipient is a permanent resident of a nursing home (1.1.N.140).

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security pension'

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.10.3.60 Partnered recipients - payment delivery, 3.10.3.80 Changing a payment delivery day

Last reviewed: