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From 1 October 2010, individuals can put in a claim for FTB up to 97 days before the expected day on which a child will become an FTB child of the individual. Pre-claims may also be lodged for baby bonus or parental leave pay.
Example: Judy is due to have a baby in February. Judy may submit a pre-claim for FTB, baby bonus and/or PPL 97 days before her expected due date in February. Judy's entitlement for any of the payments will however be determined after the baby is born and she has provided any additional required information to the FAO. Judy may however choose to wait until her baby is born to make a claim.
There are 3 main types of claims for FTB:
A claim for FTB can include any combination of these claim types, but separate claim forms do not have to be lodged, provided the applicant has provided all the necessary information in the claim to make the determination for each type of claim.
One common claim scenario is a combination of past period claim and instalment claim where the applicant becomes eligible for FTB prior to lodging the claim. The past period claim is paid out as a lump sum and ongoing entitlement is paid as instalments.
Example: Judy has a baby and lodges her FTB claim 6 weeks later. Judy is eligible for FTB from the day the baby is born. Her entitlement is determined as a past period claim from the baby's DOB up to the date the claim is lodged, and as an instalment claim from the date the claim is lodged. The administrative process involved in the 2 claims is not apparent to Judy. When her FTB is paid, she receives a lump sum for her arrears and continues to receive fortnightly FTB instalments.
If a person is receiving FTB by instalment and claims FTB for an additional child (e.g. a newborn child) this is a variation to the applicant's rate of FTB and the policy relating to non-income related circumstances needs to be followed.
Policy reference: FA Guide 4.4.2.10 Change in Non-Income Related Circumstances
This chapter also contains the following sections:
4.2.1 Summary of the FTB Claim Process
4.2.2 Requirements for an Effective Claim
4.2.3 Determination of FTB Claim
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Last reviewed: 2 July 2012
