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.

3.2.1.60 JSP provisional - payment to DSP claimants

Qualification for JSP provisional

If a person makes a claim for DSP they can be paid JSP while their claim for DSP is being determined. This payment of JSP pending DSP is referred to as JSP provisional.

The qualifications for JSP provisional are essentially the same as for activity tested JSP with the following additions:

  • the person must have an outstanding claim for DSP, AND
  • they must meet the following residential requirements
    • they must have been an Australian resident at the time the injury or illness occurred, OR
    • they must have had 10 years qualifying Australian residence, or a QRE for JSP, OR
    • they were born outside Australia, and when the illness or injury first occurred, they were the dependent of an Australian resident, and later they became an Australian resident themselves while still the dependent child of an Australian resident.

Act reference: SSAct section 7(2) An Australian resident is …, section 593(1B) Qualification for JSP, section 593(1C) Qualification for JSP

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.05 Qualification for JSP

Exemption from mutual obligation requirements

A person who qualifies for JSP provisional is exempted from meeting mutual obligation requirements pending the outcome of their claim for DSP.

Outcome of DSP claim

The range of possible outcomes arising from a DSP claim being made by a JSP recipient are summarised in the following table.

If the DSP claim is … then JSP provisional ceases and …
granted is replaced by DSP.
rejected on the grounds that the person does not have a 20 point impairment rating and/or a CITW a further claim for JSP is not required, but the person must now meet mutual obligation requirements.
rejected because the incapacity is temporary if the person cannot work 8 hours or more per week JSP (incapacitated) can replace the DSP claim and the rules for backdating claims would apply.

Backdating provisions

JSP provisional cannot be backdated to any date before the DSP claim was lodged. However, if JSP incapacitated is granted instead, backdating provisions MAY apply and arrears MAY be payable.

Impact of the coronavirus supplement when DSP claim is granted & JSP provisional ceases

People who were in receipt of JSP, plus the coronavirus supplement, prior to the grant of their DSP claim will not be issued with a debt notice if the amount of money paid to the person while they were on JSP exceeded the amount they would have been paid, had they been on DSP.

Where the amount of JSP, plus the coronavirus supplement, is less than the amount they would have been paid on DSP, the amount of arrears will be the difference in the amount between DSP and the combined value of JSP and coronavirus supplement.

Last reviewed: