3.7.4.45 Qualification for CrP - national health emergency (NHE)
Note: This page is for historical purposes only.
Summary
From 25 March 2020, the NHE CrP category was introduced as part of a range of measures to address the global health crisis related to COVID-19. This topic explains the criteria relating to qualification for a NHE CrP for people who, because of COVID-19, are required to be in quarantine or self-isolate, or care for another person who is required to be in quarantine or self-isolate.
Qualification criteria
To qualify for a NHE CrP, a person must meet the criteria listed in the following table. If more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.
| Criterion | More detail |
|---|---|
| Need for a claim | This topic |
| Claim within 14 days | This topic |
| Claim in Australia | 3.7.4.10 Qualification for CrP - general provisions |
| Required to be in quarantine or self-isolate for a period commencing before 1 October 2022 | This topic |
| Caring for an immediate family member or member of the person's household | This topic |
| Number of payments allowed | This topic |
| Amount of payment | This topic |
Need for a claim
A person is required to make a claim for a NHE CrP either:
- on the day the person makes a claim for a social security pension or benefit, or
- after the person has made a claim for a social security pension or benefit.
Explanation: A NHE CrP can be claimed at the same time as a claim for a social security pension or benefit, or after a person has been granted a social security pension or benefit.
Act reference: SSAct section 1061JIA(1)(a) Qualification-national health emergency
Claim within 14 days
A person must make a NHE CrP claim within 14 days after the commencement of the quarantine or isolation period. The 14 day claim period may be met by contacting Services Australia about a claim in that period and making a claim within 14 days after the contact day (see 8.1.1.60 for more details).
Required to be in quarantine or self-isolate for a period commencing before 1 October 2022
In order to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19, a person must be:
- required to be in quarantine or self-isolation as a result of advice from, or a requirement made by the Commonwealth, a state or territory or a health professional regarding COVID-19, or
- caring for an immediate family member, or a member of the person's household, who is required to be in quarantine or self-isolation as a result of advice from, or a requirement made by the Commonwealth, a state or territory or a health professional regarding COVID-19.
The quarantine or self-isolation period for the person or the person they are caring for must have commenced before 1 October 2022. A person does not qualify for a NHE CrP for a quarantine or isolation period that commenced on or after 1 October 2022.
To satisfy the condition that a person is required to be in quarantine or self-isolation, a NHE CrP claimant, or the person they are caring for (immediate family member or a member of their household), must have a COVID-19 test with the date of the test being the commencement date of the qualifying self-isolation or quarantine period. Evidence of the test showing the date it was conducted must be provided when a NHE CrP claim is made.
Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
From 13 January 2022, a NHE CrP claimant can provide a positive RAT result as evidence that they, or the person they are caring for, are required to self-isolate or quarantine. The date the positive RAT was undertaken must be on, or after 13 January 2022, and the result registered with the appropriate state or territory health authority.
Note 1: A person may qualify for a NHE CrP while in quarantine or self-isolating at home, in a motel/hotel, hospital or any other appropriate place.
Note 2: A person who is subject to state or territory lockdown rules is not regarded as being in quarantine or self-isolation where they are able to leave their home for a permitted purpose such as attending work, essential shopping or exercising.
Note 3: An immediate family member is a partner, child, parent, sibling, grandchild or grandparent of the person.
Note 4: A person who is self-isolating in order to prevent getting COVID-19 is ineligible for a NHE CrP.
Act reference: SSAct section 1061JIA(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument …
Social Security (Coronavirus Economic Response-2020 Measures No. 2) Determination 2020
Caring for an immediate family member or member of the person's household
The person's immediate family member or member of their household (the care receiver) must require the person to provide care during their period of quarantine or isolation at the place where the care receiver is staying.
The following are examples of when an immediate family member or member of the person's household would be regarded as requiring care:
- The care receiver is a child or grandchild under 16 years.
- The care receiver is an elderly frail parent or grandparent.
- The care receiver requires daily care that may include administering medication, assistance with bathing and preparation of meals.
A person cannot qualify for a NHE CrP to care for a person who is in quarantine or isolation in a hospital as care is being provided by hospital staff.
Number of payments allowed
No more than 2 NHE CrPs can be paid to a person during a 6-month period, that is, during the 6 months immediately before the day on which the latest NHE CrP is made, no more than one NHE CrP has been granted to the person.
A person cannot receive more than one NHE CrP for the same quarantine or isolation period. For example, where an isolation period is subsequently extended.
A person who is in quarantine or isolation and caring for another person who is also in quarantine or isolation can only be paid one NHE CrP.
A person who is caring for multiple people in quarantine or isolation at the same time can only be paid one NHE CrP.
A person cannot receive an additional NHE CrP where there is an overlap in isolation periods, for example, a person having served part of their isolation period commences caring for another person in isolation.
Only one person can be paid a NHE CrP to provide care to an individual in quarantine or isolation.
A NHE CrP can be paid to both the person who is in quarantine or isolation and the person who is required to care for them.
Example 1: Megan is a single mother receiving JSP. She and her 8 year old son, Brent, have come in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 and are both required to self-isolate. Megan is in hardship and qualifies for a NHE CrP. Megan is ineligible to receive another CrP to care for Brent while he is self-isolating with her.
Example 2: Zac is receiving YA and lives with his grandparents who are both unwell and are required to self-isolate after returning from overseas. Zac cares for his grandparents during their isolation period and as he is in hardship qualifies for one NHE CrP to care for both grandparents. His grandparents are receiving Age and as they are also in hardship, they each qualify for a NHE CrP.
Note: A NHE CrP is EXCLUDED from the total number of payments that can be paid in a 12 month period under sections 1061JH (extreme circumstances) and 1061JHA (remaining in home after removal of family member).
Amount of payment
The amount of CrP payable to a person is half the fortnightly amount, at the maximum basic rate, of the social security pension or benefit that is payable to the person. The maximum basic rate is calculated using module B of the relevant rate calculator.