3.10.5.65 PP Change Between Single & Partnered

Summary

A person has a PP child (1.1.P.340) where they are a principal carer who is:

a member of a couple and the youngest dependent child has not turned 6, OR
NOT a member of a couple and the youngest dependent child has not turned 8.

As a result, where a person with a youngest child aged under 6 has a change in relationship status (e.g. a single person becomes a member of a couple), this will be a rate event.

However, where a single new claimant with a youngest child aged 6 or 7 becomes a member of a couple, they will not qualify for PPP as they do not have a PP child. They would need to test their eligibility for another income support payment, e.g. NSA.

Example: Sarah claims PPS on 30 September 2006 after the birth of her first child. As Sarah is a single parent, she has a PP child under SSAct section 500D(2). On 10 December 2012, Sarah becomes a member of a couple and advises Centrelink of this change in relationship status. Since Sarah is now a member of a couple, her eligibility for PP is assessed under SSAct section 500D(1). As her youngest child is aged 6 or older, she is no longer eligible for PP and would need to test her eligibility for another income support payment, typically NSA.

Act reference: SSAct section 500D(3) PP child

Rate event - transfers between pension PPS & benefit PPP

A reassessment must occur when a person receiving PP either:

becomes a member of a couple (1.1.M.120), or
ceases to be a member of a couple.

Explanation: This is because all the following will change:

applicable maximum rate,
add-ons such as PhA,
income free areas,
income test taper rates, and
asset limits.

In addition, the new relationship status will often be associated with other changes in personal circumstances, particularly income levels.

Example: Partner income begins to be assessed if a PP recipient becomes a member of a couple.

Rate reductions or cancellations - change in relationship status or recipient transfers from PPS to PPP

For RATE REDUCTIONS or CANCELLATIONS, the date of effect is calculated having regard to when the person notifies and when Centrelink processes the change as explained in the following table.

If the person…	And is processed by Centrelink
If the person…	in the same entitlement period then...	in the next entitlement period then...	in a later entitlement period then...
has correctly advised of the change of circumstances within the notification period,	the date of effect is date of event.	the date of effect is start of the next entitlement period.	the date of effect is the day after the end of the notification period.
has NOT correctly advised of the change of circumstances within the notification period,		the date of effect is the day of the change in relationship status.	the date of effect is the day of the change in relationship status.

Rate increases - recipient transfer from PPP to PPS

For RATE INCREASES, the date of effect is calculated having regard to whether a person is a notification reporter or a statement reporter.

Notification Requirement	SS(Admin)Act Section	Date of Effect
Notification reporter	section 110(1)	The determination takes effect on the later of: - (a) the day the person informed the Department, or - (b) the day the event or change occurred.
Statement reporter	section 110(2)	The determination takes effect on the day the matter arose.
Partner is a statement reporter	section 110(3)	The determination takes effect on the day the matter arose.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 110 Date of effect of favourable determination

Late reporting of statement leading to cancellation

When a recipient transfers from PPP to PPS, and the recipient and/or partner fail to lodge the statement on their reporting day, sections 110(2) and 110(3) do not apply. If the recipient and/or their partner is late reporting and the recipient's payment is cancelled, section 114 is applicable.

Notification Requirement

SS(Admin)Act Section

Date of Effect

Statement reporter - section 110 does not apply as the person was late lodging their statement and the payment cancelled

section 114

114(1) The day on which the determination is made or such other day as specified in the determination.

114(2) A day specified in a determination for the purpose of subsection (1) may be:

(a) later than the day on which the determination is made,

(b) not earlier than 13 weeks before the day on which the determination is made.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 114 Date of effect of other favourable determinations

Rate increases - bereavement or death - recipient transfers from PPP to PPS

The date of effect is one of the alternatives listed in the following table, PROVIDED the change of rate is:

caused by bereavement, AND
the recipient has given notification within the required period since the death.

If the recipient is…	Then the date of effect is…	Notification period
NOT qualified for bereavement payments,	the date of death of the recipient's partner.	28 days
IS qualified for bereavement payments BUT chooses not to receive them,	the date of death of the recipient's partner.	28 days
IS qualified for bereavement payments AND chooses to receive them,	the date determined under the bereavement arrangements.	28 days

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 110 Date of effect of favourable determination, section 118 Date of effect of adverse determination - general rules, section 114 Date of effect of other favourable determinations

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.5.1 PP - Qualification & Payability, 3.10.5 Dates of Effect, 3.10.5.60 Transfers Between Payments

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Last reviewed: 2 January 2013

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