6.1.2.100 Reviews - Change of Partner Status

Summary

This topic contains information on reviews conducted when a recipient's partnered (1.1.P.70) status changes and covers remarriage or reconciliation, and divorce status.

Remarriage or reconciliation

Reviews pay particular attention to questions about the recipient's:

• partner status,
• domestic circumstances, AND
• maintenance (section 10).

Explanation: This is to detect changes that may affect entitlement, such as remarriages, divorces, and separations.

When a recipient marries, remarries, or reconciles with a partner (whether of the same sex or a different sex), the couple's combined income and assets (1.1.A.290) are taken into account to assess entitlement. A new partner, not already receiving a payment, may be invited to claim income support.

If the recipient is blind and receiving a pension free of the income or assets test, the couple's income and asset details should ONLY be requested, with an accompanying explanation, IF the:

• recipient is receiving or claiming additional income and asset tested payments,
• recipient is receiving or claiming RA, OR
• partner is receiving or claiming a payment or service pension.

Act reference: SSAct section 10 Maintenance income definitions, section 95 Qualification for DSP-permanent blindness

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.P.210 Permanent blindness (DSP, Age)

Divorce status

The following table shows a recipient's status when:

• divorced, OR
• their marriage is annulled.

For information on terminated registered relationships refer to 2.2.5.10 Determining a De Facto Relationship.

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Last reviewed: 10 August 2012