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Disability
Support Pension
Reproduced from Centrelink's "A Guide to Australian
Government Payments 1 July - 19 September 2010"
Basic Conditions of Eligibility
Residence Requirements
Basic Rates
Income Test
Assets Test
Basic Conditions of Eligibility
- Aged 16 or over but under Age Pension age at date of claim
lodgement, and
- Must have a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric impairment
assessed at 20 points or more under impairment tables, and
- Inability to work for 15 hours or more per week for the next
two years as a result of impairment, and
- Inability, as a result of impairment, to undertake a training
activity which would equip the person to work within the next
two years, or
- Be permanently blind.
- Please contact Centrelink for more information.
Residence Requirements
- Must be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day
the claim is lodged, unless claiming under an International
Social Security Agreement.
- Must have been an Australian resident for a total of at least
10 years, at least five of those years in one continuous period,
or
- Residence in certain countries with which Australia has an
International Social Security Agreement may count towards Australian
residence, or
- Have a qualifying residence exemption (arrived as refugee
or under special humanitarian programme), or
- Immediately eligible if inability to work occurred while an
Australian resident, or
- Was a dependent child of an Australian resident at the time
the continuing incapacity to work commenced.
- May be paid for up to 13 weeks of an absence outside Australia
or longer if the person has to travel to study or train as part
of their full-time Australian course or Australian Apprenticeship.
Can be paid indefinitely in some cases if terminally ill and
leaving Australia permanently. Different rules apply if the
person is covered by an International Social Security Agreement.
Basic Rates
- Disability Support Pension if aged 21 or over without children:
| Status |
Pension Rate Per Fortnight |
| Single |
$644.20* |
* This amount excludes the Pension Supplement which pensioners may receive
as an additional payment to the base pension (see Concession
Cards, Supplements and Allowances).
- Pensioners receiving payments since 19 September 2009 may
be paid under transitional arrangements. Special savings provisions
may apply to Disability Support Pension for people under 21
without children, rather than transitional arrangements. Contact
Centrelink for more information.
- Disability Support Pension if aged under 21 without children
(includes Youth Disability Supplement):
| Status |
Pension Rate per fortnight |
Single, aged under 18
at home
independent |
$313.00
$483.70 |
Single, aged 18-20
at home
independent
|
$354.80
$483.70 |
Member of a couple
aged under 18
aged 18-20 |
$483.70
$483.70 |
- Disability Support Pension is not subject to parents' income
and assets.
- Youth Disability Supplement of $106.70 per fortnight is payable
to Disability Support Pension recipients aged under 21 and is
included in the above rates.
- Pharmaceutical
Allowance is paid to Disability Support Pension recipients
aged under 21 without children.
- Education Entry Payment of $208 may be payable.
- Penmsioner Education Supplement may be paid to Disability
Support Pension recipients..
Rent Assistance
| Family Situation |
Maximum payment per fortnight |
No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than |
Maximum payment if your fortnightly rent is more than |
| Single, no children |
$113.40 |
$100.80 |
$252.00 |
| Single, no children, sharer |
$75.60 |
$100.80 |
$201.60 |
| Couple, no children |
$107.00 |
$164.40 |
$307.07 |
| One of a couple who are separated due to illness, no children* |
$113.40 |
$100.80 |
$252.00 |
| One of a couple who are temporarily separated, no children |
$107.00 |
$100.80 |
$243.47 |
* Includes respite care and partner in prison.
- Rent Assistance for families with children is usually paid with Family Tax
Benefit. See Family
Tax Benefit Part A for current rates.
- Rent Assistance is not paid:
- to people paying rent to a government housing authority, although
in some situations sub-tenants may qualify for Rent Assistance.
- for residents of Australian Government funded nursing homes and hostels.
- to single Disability Support Pensioners under 21, without dependants,
living with parents.
- to other single people aged under 25, living with parents.
- Special rules apply to single sharers, people who pay board and lodging
or live in a retirement village.
- Rent Certificates are required to verify rent where the person does not
have a formal tenancy agreement or is not named as a tenant on a formal tenancy
agreement.
- Rent Assistance is paid as part of another payment. It may be reduced due
to the income test rules applying to that primary payment.
- Rent Assistance is subject to portability provisions where relevant.
- Rent Assistance not payable to single persons aged under 21,
without dependants, who live with their parents or guardian.
Income Test
Note: Pharmaceutical Allowance included in calculating
Income Test amounts.
For Disability Support Pensioners aged under 21 - no
children:
| Family situation |
For full pension (pf)* |
For part pension (pf) |
| 16-17 years |
up to $146.00 |
less than $784.00 |
| 18-20 years |
up to $146.00 |
less than $887.60 |
| 16-20 years independent |
up to $146.00 |
less than $1,125.40 |
For Disability Support Pensioners aged under 21 Single
- no children - Saved Status:
Saved status: With affecting income as at 19 September 2009
| Family situation |
For full pension (pf)* |
For part pension (pf) |
| 16-17 years |
up to $146.00 |
less than $943.50 |
| 18-20 years |
up to $146.00 |
less than $1,048.00 |
| 16-20 years independent |
up to $146.00 |
less than $1,370.25 |
| Couple (combined) |
up to $256.00 |
less than $2,689.50 |
Note: The rate of payment is calculated under
both the income and assets tests. The test that results in the
lower rate (or nil rate) will apply.
| * |
Income over these amounts reduces the rate of pension payable
by 50 cents in the dollar (single), 25 cents in the dollar
each (for couples). For transitional or saved cases income
over these amounts reduces the rate of pension payable by
40 cents in the dollar (single), 20 cents in the dollar
each (for couples).
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| # |
These figures may be higher if Rent Assistance is paid with
your pension. |
Some assets are deemed to earn income, while there are special
rules for other types of income. Contact Centrelink for more information.
Employment income is subject to a Work Bonus for eligible pensioners
over age pension age.
Pensioners receiving payments at 19 September 2009 may be paid
under 'transitional arrangements or saved status'.
Work Bonus
Basic conditions of eligibility:
- The Work Bonus is a concession on the income test treatment
of employment income for pensioners over age pension age, except
Parenting Payment (Single).
- The Work Bonus is used to reduce assessable employment income
in an instalment period. An instalment period is a period of
a maximum of 14 days.
- Half of the first $500 of fortnightly employment income will
be disregarded from the income test for pensioners over age
pension age. This is in addition to the normal allowable income
threshold.
- All pensioners over age pension age, other than recipients
of Parenting Payment (Single), are eligible for the Work Bonus.
If they are eligible for a transitional rate, Centrelink will
compare the transitional rate (which has no Work Bonus) to the
new rate (which does include the Work Bonus). The transitional
rate is paid where it pays a higher rate.
- No registration process, however pensioners must keep Centrelink
up to date with their employment income.
Compensation Payment
Compensation payments, such as weekly workers' compensation payments,
are assessed differently. If the compensable injury occurred prior
to receiving an income support payment each dollar of any regular
compensation payment reduces the income support payment (pension
or allowance) by a dollar. If the compensable injury occurred
while receiving an income support payment any regular compensation
payment is assessed under the normal income test. Compensation
payments may include a component of taxable income and it is this
component that is included as income for Family Tax Benefit purposes.
Lump sum compensation payments may result in a non-payment period.
Contact Centrelink for more information.
Assets Test
Assets Test for Homeowners
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Single** |
Up to $181,750 |
Less than $649,250 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $963,000 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $1,193,000 |
| One partner eligible |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $963,000 |
Transitional Homeowner
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Single |
Up to $181,750 |
Less than $604,750 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $941,500 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $1,104,000 |
| One partner eligible |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $941,500 |
Assets Test for Disability Support Pensioners Under 21 - Homeowners
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Aged Under 21 Single - not independent |
|
| 16 - 17 years |
Up to $181,750 |
Less than $394,500 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $181,750 |
Less than $422,500 |
| Aged Under 21 Single - independent |
|
| |
Up to $181,750 |
Less than $508,250 |
| Aged Under 21 - Couple (combined) |
|
| One partner eligible |
Up to $258,000 |
Less than $907,000 |
Assets Test for Non-Homeowners
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Single** |
Up to $313,250 |
Less than $755,000 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,094,500 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,324,500 |
| One partner eligible |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,094,500 |
Transitional Non-Homeowner
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Single |
Up to $313,250 |
Less than $726,250 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,073,000 |
| Illness separated couple (combined) |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,235,500 |
| One partner eligible |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,073,000 |
Assets Test for Disability Support Pensioners Under 21 - Non-Homeowners
| Family Situation |
For Full Pension
/ Allowance* |
For Part Pension # † |
| Aged Under 21 Single - not independent |
|
| 16 - 17 years |
Up to $313,250 |
Less than $526,000 |
| Partnered (combined) |
Up to $313,250 |
Less than $554,000 |
| Aged Under 21 Single - independent |
|
| Illness separated couple (combined) |
Up to $313,250 |
Less than $639,750 |
| Aged Under 21 - Couple (combined) |
|
| One partner eligible |
Up to $389,500 |
Less than $1,038,500 |
Some assets are deemed to earn income, while certain assets
are not included in the assets test; see Deeming
- Financial Investments or contact Centrelink for more information.
Note: The rate of payment is calculated under both the income and
assets tests. The test that results in the lower rate (or nil rate) will apply.
| # |
Limits will increase if Rent Assistance is paid with your
pension. |
| * |
Assets over these amounts reduce pension by $1.50 per fortnight for every
$1,000 above the limit (single and couple combined).
Newstart Allowance, Widow Allowance, Partner Allowance, Sickness Allowance,
Special Benefit, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance and Austudy Payment
and Mature Age Allowance are not payable if assets exceed these amounts.
|
| ** |
For Disability Support Pension recipients, these limits apply if aged
over 21 only. For those under 21 the same income/assets test applies, but
with different limits. See your nearest Centrelink Customer Service centre
for more information. |
| Asset and Income limits for Transitional Rate and saved case customers
apply to customers who are resident in Australia, or are not absent for
more than 13 weeks only. For other cases, contact Centrelink for more
information. |
Extra Allowable amount for Retirement Village and Granny Flat Residents
If your Entry Contribution is equal to or less than the Extra Allowable Amount,
you are assessed as a non-homeowner. Your Entry Contribution will count as an
asset. You may qualify for Rent Assistance. The Extra Allowable Amount is the
difference between the non-homeowner and homeowner test limits, currently $131,500.
Hardship Provisions
If you have assets but little or no income you are expected to rearrange your
affairs to provide for yourself. In some cases that is not possible. If you
are in "severe financial hardship" you may be able to get a social
security payment. Different tests apply to such cases.
- No assets test on basic rate for Disability Support Pensioners
who are permanently blind; however, these pensioners may be
affected by the special arrangements (see above) compensation
payments.
- Hardship provisions may apply.
Copyright © 2010 Forsyte
Consulting Pty Ltd unless otherwise stated.
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