3.6.5.90 Supplementary Benefits & Employment Assistance for SA Recipients

Other departmental benefits

SA recipients may also qualify for the following benefits, if they meet the relevant qualification criteria:

• rent assistance (1.2.7.10),
• pharmaceutical allowance (1.2.7.20),
• TAL in some cases (1.2.7.70),
• crisis payment (1.2.6.30),
• clean energy advance (1.2.12.10),
• clean energy supplement (1.2.12.20),
• income support bonus (1.2.7.170),
• bereavement assistance (1.2.3.90),
• health care card (1.2.8.10), or
• PCC in restricted circumstances (1.2.8.20),
  • Explanation: An SA recipient aged 60 years or more who has been receiving income support for the preceding 9 months receives a PCC.
• language, literacy and numeracy training and supplement (1.2.7.110).

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1 RA - Qualification & Payability, 3.8.2 PhA - Qualification & Payability, 3.8.7 TAL - Qualification & Payability, 3.7.4 CrP Qualification & Payability, 3.15.1 CEA - Qualification & Payability, 3.15.2 CES - Qualification & Payability, 3.8.17 ISB - Qualification & Payability

Rehabilitation programs

Recipients receiving SA may benefit from the additional assistance provided by a rehabilitation program.

Employment assistance

A SA recipient on graduated return to work who loses payment because of income (made up entirely or partly of employment income) may receive the following employment assistance:

• access to working credits,
• payment of certain supplementary benefits during the employment income nil rate period,
• continued use of their HCC or PCC for a certain period, and
• able to have their payment resumed during the employment income nil rate period if they report a fall in income sufficient for SA to be payable again.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(4A) Despite subsection (4)…, section 23(4AA) For the purposes of subsection (4A)…, section 1061ZEA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1061ZMA Further extended qualification rule: loss of payment because of employment income, section 1073J Working credit balance prevents loss of qualification in certain cases

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.11 Working Credit, 3.1.12 Employment Income Nil Rate Period, 3.9.1.10 Qualification for HCC - Automatic Issue, 3.9.2.30 PCC due to Employment

Medicare levy exemption

This exemption is covered by the ITAA. A recipient who is paid SA MAY qualify for a Medicare levy exemption.

Act reference: SSAct Part 3.6 Benefit Rate Calculator B

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.5.30 Participation of SA Recipients in Rehabilitation Programs

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Last reviewed: 20 March 2013