5.2.1.20 Change of Eligibility Circumstances
Summary
A person (1.1.P.80) is required to provide information regarding all circumstances that may affect their eligibility to receive FA. This topic covers:
- eligibility circumstances affecting FA,
- eligibility circumstances affecting only FTB,
- eligibility circumstances affecting only FTB Part B,
- eligibility circumstances affecting only CCB and
- eligibility circumstances affecting only SKB.
Eligibility circumstances affecting FA
An FA applicant/recipient must notify the Centrelink if:
- they become or cease to be an Australian resident (1.1.A.130),
- they leave Australia (1.1.A.120) permanently,
- they commence or cease providing care for an FTB or regular care child,
- their FTB or regular care child becomes, or ceases to be an Australian resident,
- their FTB or regular care child who is not an Australian resident commences or ceases living with them,
- they and/or their partner's income changes,
- they change partnering arrangements (opposite or same-sex) for example, if they get married, registered, separated or divorced, or
- their address or bank account details change.
Eligibility circumstances affecting only FTB
An FTB instalment applicant/recipient must notify the Centrelink if:
- they live or cease living outside Australia (1.1.A.120) for more than 3 years,
- they are a member of a couple (1.1.M.50) and the other member of the couple ceases to receive FTB for their child/ren,
- their FTB or regular care child:
- commences or ceases to receive an income support payment (1.1.I.50),
- satisfies or ceases to satisfy the FTB activity test (1.1.F.53), for an FTB child aged 16 to 20,
- who has turned 21, recommences or ceases full-time study (1.1.F.60),
- commences or ceases to have an ATI (1.1.A.20) the same as or higher than the child income limit amount (1.1.C.80),
- commences or ceases to be their partner (1.1.P.30),
- is prevented from being in their care without their consent, or is in their care to a reduced extent due to another person's non-compliance with a care arrangement (1.1.C.05),
- commences or ceases living outside Australia for more than 3 years,
- their percentage of care for an FTB or regular care child changes, particularly if it reaches or falls below 35% or 66% of the care period, or
- their FTB or regular care child dies.
Explanation: If an FTB or regular care child of an individual becomes their partner, they are no longer an FTB or regular care child of the individual. Their eligibility to receive FTB or other government benefits for that child ceases. However, the child could remain an FTB or regular care child of another individual.
Centrelink must also be notified if a care organisation commences or ceases to be an ACO.
Act reference: FA(Admin)Act section 25 Obligation to notify change of circumstances
FAAct section 22 When an individual is an FTB child of another individual, section 22A Exceptions to the operation of section 22, Schedule 1 clause 7 Standard rate
Policy reference: FA Guide 5.2.1.10 Change of Circumstances - General Provisions, 5.2.1.30 Change of Rate Circumstances
Eligibility circumstances affecting only FTB Part B
An individual must notify Centrelink if their only FTB child is 16 or older and ceases full time study.
Act reference: FAAct Schedule 1 clause 29 General method of calculating Part B rate
Eligibility circumstances affecting only CCB
An individual who is receiving CCB as reduced fees must notify Centrelink if:
- their child who is under 7 years old, is up-to-date with their immunisation or they have an approved exemption for the child (see explanation),
- they stop using child care for any of their children,
- they and/or their partner situation changes and they need child care for more than 24 hours a week or more than 50 hours per week,
- they and/or their partner situation changes and they can no longer get child care for more than 24 hours a week,
- the child starts or leaves school,
- there are any changes to the residency status of:
- the individual,
- their partner, if they have one, or
- a child in care.
Explanation: An individual has 63 days to comply with the immunisation requirements. If not in compliance, they lose eligibility for CCB and CCR.
An individual who plans to receive CCB as a lump sum should check that every approved child care service they use has obtained the individual's reference number from Centrelink.
Eligibility circumstances affecting only SKB
In order for an FTB Part A or income support recipient to be eligible for SKB, they must notify Centrelink if they, or their child:
- commences or ceases primary or secondary study,
- participates in registered home schooling,
- participates in a special education program (for children with disabilities),
- participates in overseas study.
_______________________________________________________
Last reviewed: 2 January 2013
