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.

3.15.2.30 ES & holders of a CSHC

CSHC card holders

From 20 March 2017, the ES is no longer paid to new holders of the CSHC.

Arrangements have been put in place so that if a holder of a CSHC was receiving the ES on 19 September 2016, they will continue to receive it for as long as they are continuously in receipt of ES linked to the card or an income support payment.

Where a person who was receiving, on 19 September 2016, an income support payment, including ES, later moves continuously onto a CSHC, they will continue to be paid the ES but linked to their card.

People who first started to hold their CSHC between 20 September 2016 and 19 March 2017 had their payment increased by the amount of the ES but only for those days that fell within that period and for which they were entitled to the ES. These people no longer receive the ES from 20 March 2017.

For the purposes of what is said above, a person moves continuously from an income support payment to a CSHC only if they lodge a successful claim, where required, for a CSHC within 6 weeks beginning on the day their income support payment ceased.

People, who on 31 December 2016 received a social security pension into which ES had been added and who lost the pension on 1 January 2017 because of changes to the assets test effective on the latter date, were automatically issued with a CSHC and will continue to receive the ES on and after 20 March 2017 provided they remain continuously eligible.

Further details of the requirements here can be found at the following references.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061U Qualification for ES, section 1061UA When ES is payable, section 1061ZJA Modifications if person's rate of social security pension is nil on 1 January 2017

SS(Admin)Act section 11(3) General rule, section 16(7) How to make a claim

Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016 Schedule 21 Part 2 item 38 Transitional provision

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.15.2.10 Qualification for ES, 3.15.2.20 Payability of ES

Last reviewed: