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.

6.4.3 Recovery Rules Specific to Lump Sums

Summary

This section contains the following information on particular aspects of compensation recovery concerning compensation lump sums:

  • recoverable amounts, including from partner, when lump sum compensation payments are made before 20 March 1997,
  • recoverable amounts, including from partner, when lump sum compensation payments are made on or after 20 March 1997, and
  • recoverable amounts if CAPs are made between multiple lump sums.

Recoverable amounts - lump sum compensation payment made BEFORE 20 March 1997

The following table shows the amount of CAP recoverable from lump sum compensation payments made before 20 March 1997.

If during the lump sum preclusion period a… Then the amount recoverable is all CAPs made to the …
CAP is paid,
  • compensation recipient AND partner, LESS any notional PP the partner would have received between 1 July 1995 and 9 March 1997 had non-benefit PP been claimed instead of a CAP.
couple marry or begin a de facto relationship (whether of the same sex or a different sex), or begin a registered relationship (whether of the same sex or a different sex),
  • compensation recipient, throughout the period, AND
  • the partner, if:
    • they are/were a member of a couple at the time of receipt of the lump sum compensation payment, AND
    • they claim or receive a CAP.
couple separate,
  • compensation recipient before and after the separation, AND
  • partner, up to date of separation.

Note: If the couple reconcile during the period, payments made to the partner while separated are NOT recoverable.

Act reference: SSAct section 1237AAC(4) Waiver if there was an unclaimed entitlement to parenting allowance or PP, section 1237AAC(5) Waiver of amount equal to notional entitlement to parenting allowance or PP (as the case requires), section 1237AAC(6) Calculating the amount equal to notional entitlement to parenting allowance

Recoverable amounts when lump sum compensation payments are made ON OR AFTER 20 March 1997

Under the compensation provisions of SSAct Part 3.14, lump sum compensation payments made on or after 20 March 1997 affect ONLY the compensation recipient's CAP, not their partner's CAP. Any CAPs paid to the compensation recipient during the preclusion period ARE recoverable.

A compensation recipient's partner is NOT subject to the preclusion period. However, the continuing assets and income tests treatment will be determined by how a person makes use of the funds. The funds may be used to obtain additional assets such as a car. For a purchase such as this the assets test would apply. Or, the funds may be invested with a financial institution. The funds have then become a financial asset, assessable as an asset and subject to the income test deeming rules.

Act reference: SSAct section 1178 Repayment of amount where both lump sum and payments of compensation affected payment have been received

Recoverable amounts if CAPs are made between multiple lump sums

Multiple lump sums received in respect of the same compensable event, where at least one payment is made in respect of lost earnings or lost earnings capacity, are treated as one lump sum. The date of commencement of the preclusion period does not change, irrespective of how far apart these payments are made.

However, with each subsequent lump sum the duration of the preclusion period is amended and extended. CAPs made to the compensation recipient in the intervening period ARE recoverable.

Where ongoing periodic payments are made as part of multiple lump sum settlements or judgements, for the same compensable event, the start date of any preclusion period CANNOT be calculated until these periodic payments cease or reduce.

Act reference: SSAct section 1171 Deemed lump sum payment arising from separate payments

Policy reference: SS Guide 4.13.2.50 Aggregation of Multiple Lump Sums, 4.13.2.70 Commencement of Lump Sum Preclusion Period

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