Social Security Point-in-Time Service Updates

The Social Security Point-in-Time Service has been updated to include the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Support and Other Measures) Act 2022 (Cth) (No 14 of 2022), the Social Security Amendment (Improved Child to Adult Transfer for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance) Act 2022 (Cth) (No 25 of 2022), the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Pension Loans Scheme Enhancements) Act 2022 (Cth) (No 28 of 2022), and the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Streamlined Participation Requirements and Other Measures) Act 2022 (Cth) (No 32 of 2022).

Act 14 of 2022

Schedule 8 to the Act provides for the payment of 2022 cost of living payment of $250 to around 6 million Social Security and Veterans’ income support and compensation recipients, Farm Household Allowance recipients, and holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Veteran Gold Card. 

Act 25 of 2022

This Act amends the Social Security Act 1991 to give effect to the ‘Improvements to the Child to Adult Transfer Process for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance Qualification’ measure announced in the 2021-2022 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

This Act amends the Social Security Act to enable all carers in respect of a child or children to continue to receive Carer Payment and/or Carer Allowance until the care receiver turns 16 years and 3 months. Carers who submit the relevant documentation on or prior to the care receiver turning 16 will be able to receive the relevant payment and/or allowance to the later of the care receiver reaching 16 and 3 months of age or until the care receiver’s Adult Disability Assessment Tool assessment has been completed by Services Australia.

This Act will also consequentially extend the definitions of sole care child, multiple care child and combined care child which determine the assets test for child care receivers under these qualification provisions, in line with the extension of payment qualification for their carers.

Act 28 of 2022

This Act amends the law relating to social security and veterans’ entitlements, and for related purposes. The Act makes amendments regarding the no negative equity guarantee and the pension loans scheme advance payments.    

Act 32 of 2022

The Act modernises and streamlines social security law to support the New Employment Services Model which will operate from July 2022, clarifies provisions supporting current policy, reduces duplicated and redundant provisions, and ensures that the law is fit for purpose. The Act also includes amendments supporting the 2021-22 Budget measure to align payment commencement for those job seekers who are referred to online employment services with those who are referred to a provider.    

These amendments have been updated in the Point-in-Time Social Security Service current to 5 May 2022. (NB: Subscription required).

If you are not already a subscriber to this or other Point-in-Time Services then please contact us to find out more or to take a free trial.