B58/1991 AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTION B39/91REVISED DATA COLLECTION AND NOTIFICATION PROVISIONS

DATE OF ISSUE:

AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTION B39/91REVISED DATA COLLECTION AND NOTIFICATION PROVISIONS

This Instruction corrects an error in the previous Instruction issued on 5/8/91.  The policy endorsed by Commission on 15 May1991 was not accurately translated into that Instruction. Pensioner advices must also be amended.

ARITHMETICAL ERROR

2.Paragraphs 7, 13 and 15 of the earlier Instruction contain an arithmetical error: $2.00 per fortnight does not equal $100.00 per year.  This mistake, repeated in the advices sent to pensioners, has caused understandable confusion.

POLICY APPROVED BY COMMISSION

3.Policy approved by Commission is as follows:

.that only the amount of any cash in excess of $1000.00 be recorded in pension assessment;

.that pensioners be discouraged from advising the Department of changes in circumstances unless income varies by more than $100.00 per annum, that is, resulting in a pension variation of at least $2.00 per fortnight; and

.that asset tested pensioners only be required to advise the Department of new asset acquisitions and be discouraged from advising the Department of fluctuations in the value of existing assets.

DSS POLICY

5.Although the earlier Instruction states that our revised policy is in line with that of DSS, this is incorrect.  DSS clients are still asked to notify that Department of any increase in income above the amount held (i.e. prescribed rate) in a reduced rate assessment, or above the Income Free Area for maximum rate cases.

PENSIONER ADVICES

6.The financial obligations section of the Payment Advices System Paragraphs will be amended to correct the error in notices sent to income tested service pensioners on less than maximum rate.  Branch Offices will need to amend those Pensioner Obligation paragraphs stored in PC applications for manually produced advices.

CONTACT OFFICER

7.This Instruction amends the earlier Instruction (B39/91) and should be read in conjunction with that notice.  Any enquiries can be directed to Helen Mackinnon (telephone 06-289 6426).

PETER HAWKER

NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

BENEFITS

December 1991