DATE OF ISSUE: 3 FEBRUARY 1994
CHILD PAYMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION — PARAGRAPH NO.
INTRODUCTION — 1
BACKGROUND — 2
DVA CHANGES
Introduction — 6
Summary Of Policy Changes — 7
Client Impact — 8
POLICY CHANGES
Legislation — 10
Redirecting Child Payments To A Partner Service Pensioner — 11
Blinded Service Pensioners With Dependent Children — 18
Backdating Child Payments To The Payday After A Child Is Born — 21
Maintenance Income — 22
Shared Care — 24
Prescribed Student Children Aged 18-24 — 31
Prescribed Student Child Determination — 35
Child Income — 36
Single Service Pensioners With Children — 37
War Widow/ers With Dependent Children — 38
THE EQUALISING EFFECT — 47
IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS
Advices — 49
System Changes — 50
CONTACT OFFICER — 55
ATTACHMENT A — Student Child Review Form (D2527)
ATTACHMENT B — Example: Single Service Pensioner With A
High Level Of Income And Children
ATTACHMENT C — Examples: Frozen Rate War Widows With Children
ATTACHMENT D — Personal Assessment Screen (PP.PA)
ATTACHMENT E — Manual Rates Screen (PP.MR)
ATTACHMENT F — Trial Screen (PP.TR)
INTRODUCTION
This instruction details policy changes affecting service pensioners with dependent children.
BACKGROUND
2.Family Payment was introduced by the Department of Social Security (DSS) on 1 January 1993 to help parents with the costs of raising their children. It consists of two components: Basic Family Payment which was formerly called Family Allowance and Additional Family Payment which incorporates Family Allowance Supplement, Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance.
3.Family Payment is credited to the principal carer, usually the female parent, on alternate weeks to DSS pension paydays. All pensioners with eligible children automatically qualify for Basic Family Payment. Subject to receipt of maintenance income, DSS pensioners also qualify for the maximum applicable rate of Additional Family Payment. Low income families who do not receive an income support pension from the Commonwealth may also qualify for Family Payment provided their income and assets do not exceed specified limits.
4.Service pensioners with dependent children are paid Basic Family Payment by the Department of Social Security. However, they do not receive Additional Family Payment as Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance are included in the maximum payment rate of service pension.
5.Under the Social Security Act, Additional Family Payment (AFP) is paid separately from income support pension. That is, Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance are not part of the basic pension.
DVA CHANGES
Introduction
6.The current assessment methodology used to determine child related payments to service pensioners will be continued after 1 January 1994. That is, child related payments will continue to be added to the maximum basic rate to determine the maximum payment rate of service pension. The income and assets tests will then be applied to determine the amount payable. However, a range of policy initiatives that currently apply to DSS clients will be extended to service pensioners on 1 January 1994.
Summary Of Policy Changes
7.
.Discretionary power to direct child payments to a partner service pensioner
.Child payments to be credited to blinded service pensioners free of the ordinary income test and the assets test
.Disability pension will no longer affect the rate of rent assistance payable to blinded service pensioners and war widow/ers with children
.Maintenance income will only affect child payments made to most service pensioners. There will be no flow on effect to the basic rate of service pension. Maintenance income will not affect the rate of service pension or child payments to blinded service pensioners and their partners.
.Child payments may be backdated to the payday after a child is born
.Apportionment of child payments if two people share the care of a child.
.Changes to the definition of a "prescribed student child determination" and "child income".
.Child payments to be credited in addition to the frozen rate of service pension payable to war widow/ers who are veterans in their own right.
Client Impact
8.There are approximately 3000 service pension assessments with dependent children. Most of these clients received a pension increase on 6 January 1994 as child payments were indexed in line with the inflation rate. Refer to Departmental Instruction number B68/93 for more information.
9.The rate payable to a small number of clients varied due to policy and system changes that were implemented on the same payday. Refer to paragraphs 18-20 and 31-33 for more information.
Legislation
10.Most of the changes relating to child payments are contained in the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill (No.3) 1993. This Bill should become law during 1994. The changes detailed in paragraphs 18, 19, 36 & 44 will be introduced as legislation in the Autumn 1995 Sittings of Parliament. These policy changes have been approved by the Repatriation Commission and will be dealt with administratively until the relevant legislation is given Royal Assent.
POLICY CHANGES
Redirecting Child Payments To A Partner Service Pensioner
11.Child related payments will continue to be directed to the veteran in the majority of cases. However, the Repatriation Commission will have discretionary power to direct child payments to a partner service pensioner provided:
.it is in the interests of the child; or
.both members of a couple request child payments to be credited to the partner service pensioner.
12.If the veteran is unable or unwilling to make such a request, the partner must apply in writing for child payments to be directed to him or her. This must be supported by evidence from a professional (such as the family doctor or a social worker) who can detail why it is in the interests of the children to credit child payments to the partner.
13.The discretion to direct child payments to a spouse will only apply to couples who are living together. There is no discretion to direct child payments to an estranged spouse or a third party. The decision must apply to all children (ie it is not possible to credit Dependent Child Add-On to the partner for one child but not another).
14.Examples of where it would be in the interests of the child to direct payment to the partner include situations where the veteran is: a chronic gambler, an alcoholic or drug addict, or a person who suffers from a physical or mental disability which prevents him or her from providing adequate care for the children. Authorised decision makers should judge each case on its merits before determining whether child payments should be credited to the partner.
15.The Death Processing System (DPS) will automatically reinstate payments to the veteran when the partner in a discretionary case dies. Child payments will not be included in the bereavement payment and it will be necessary to investigate whether it is suitable to continue crediting child payments to the veteran.
16.The partner will automatically lose eligibility for child payments when the veteran dies. The bereavement payment will include child payments as if the veteran had been receiving that payment prior to his or her death.
17.The Student Child Review Form (D2527) will be sent to the partner when he/she is credited child payments. This form has been updated. A copy is included at Attachment A.
Blinded Service Pensioners With Dependent Children
18.From 1 January 1994, blinded service pensioners with dependent children will be paid Dependent Child Add-On free of the ordinary income test and the assets test. If applicable, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance will also be paid free of the ordinary income and assets tests. In addition, maintenance income will not affect income support payments made to blinded service pensioners and their partners.
19.Disability Pension will no longer affect the rate of Rent Assistance payable to blinded service pensioners with children. However, Disability Pension will continue to be assessed when determining the rate of rent assistance payable to the partner of a blinded veteran and blinded service pensioners with no dependent children.
20.Child payments may be credited to the partner of a blinded veteran. If the partner's basic rate of service pension is reduced to nil, child related payments will be redirected to the blinded veteran. This will ensure that blinded veteran service pensioners and their partners are paid the maximum applicable rate of child payments regardless of their financial or domestic circumstances.
Backdating Child Payments To The Payday After A Child Is Born
21.Child payments may be backdated to the payday after a child is born provided the Department is notified within 13 weeks of the date of birth and the claimant has been receiving, or is eligible to receive, service pension for all of that period.
Maintenance Income
22.Prior to 1 January 1994, maintenance received by a person or their partner from a previous relationship affected the basic rate of service pension as well as any child add-ons and rent assistance. From 1 January 1994, maintenance income will only affect Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance payable to service pensioners with children; there will be no flow on to service pension.
23.Blinded service pensioners and their partners will be exempt from the maintenance income and maintenance action tests. All other service pensioners will not qualify for child payments if they fail to pursue a reasonable maintenance claim. Detailed information on maintenance will be included in future editions of the GOSP.
Shared Care
24.DSS apportion Family Payment when two people share the care of a child. The following factors are taken into account when determining how to apportion payment:
.the amount of time the child spends with each claimant;
.expenses incurred by each claimant in maintaining the child;
.who makes the major decisions relating to the welfare of the child;
.terms of any custody order or legal agreement relating to the custody of the child; and
.whether the current situation is likely to continue on a permanent basis.
25.Each person's share of care is quantified as a percentage to determine the amount of child payment that should be credited to each parent or guardian. Prior to making a shared care determination, DSS endeavour to gain agreement from both claimants on the percentage of care that each provides. If a consensus cannot be reached, an experienced officer uses the available evidence to determine how Family Payment should be apportioned.
26.From 1 January 1994, child payments may be apportioned under the Veterans' Entitlements Act (VEA) if two people share the care of a child or children, provided:
.they are not members of the same couple; and
.one person is a service pensioner and the other receives income support from DSS; and
.a shared care determination has been made by DSS.
27.It will be necessary to establish the percentage of care allocated to the veteran when advice is received that he/she shares the care of a child. Advice may be provided by DSS or the veteran.
28.The rate of Dependent Child Add-On will be paid commensurate with the percentage of care provided by the veteran. If the amount of care given by the veteran to a child is less than 30%, he or she will not be eligible for child payment under the VEA as the child cannot be considered dependent.
29.Rent Assistance and Remote Area Allowance should not be apportioned. They will be paid at the maximum applicable rate, provided the percentage of care is greater than 30%. The full rate of Guardian Allowance will be credited to all single veterans with dependent children. A shared child will be recorded on the pensioner concession card and increase the income level at which DVA treatment ceases by $52 per fortnight. Each shared child will increase the additional income free area under the ordinary income test by $24 per fortnight.
30.A veteran will not automatically be considered to have 100% of care of a dependent child if the other party to the shared care determination loses payability or eligibility for pension. Payment will continue at the percentage previously determined until a reassessment of the shared care determination is made by DSS or it is demonstrated that the veteran is solely responsible for the care of the child or children.
Prescribed Student Children Aged 18-24 Inclusive
31.Generally, a Prescribed Student Child who has turned 18 does not qualify a service pensioner for Guardian Allowance, the additional free area under the ordinary income test or the additional rent free area.
32.These allowances should only be credited in respect of prescribed student children aged 18-24 if they are paid Child Disability Allowance by DSS or they are covered by the savings provision introduced by the Social Security and Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1989. However, these benefits have been credited in respect of all prescribed student children who have turned 18 due to a deficiency in the DVA computer program.
33.From 6 January 1994, Guardian Allowance, the additional free area under the ordinary income test and the additional rent free area will only be credited in respect of Prescribed Student Children aged 18-24 if they are paid Child Disability Allowance by DSS or they are covered by the savings provision detailed in paragraph 32. These cases will be recorded on the system by setting a 'Y' indicator in the Invalid field on PP.PA for children. A message should be recorded on the Text Screen (PP.TE) detailing why payments are being made in respect of a prescribed student aged 18-24.
34.Prescribed students turning 18 will be identified on the fortnightly Child Report. Dependent students who remain in full-time education should not be terminated from the action assessment on the assessment control screen (PP.AC). This will ensure that all eligible students are recorded on the Pensioner Concession Card. It should be noted that each prescribed student aged 18-24 increases the cut off point for DVA service pension treatment by $52 per fortnight.
Prescribed Student Child Determination
35.From 1 January 1994, a student who receives payment under the Assistance for Isolated Children scheme will not be considered a prescribed student child. However, a student who qualifies for payment under the Post Graduate Awards scheme will be considered a prescribed student child. These changes will ensure parity between DSS and DVA.
Child Income
36.A child younger than 16 who has left school cannot be considered dependent if he or she has income in excess of a prescribed amount. This amount will be increased to $229.70 per fortnight from 6 January 1994. All sources of income should be taken into account when assessing child dependency. This policy is consistent with that applied at DSS.
Single Service Pensioners With Children
37.A single service pensioner with a relatively high level of income and assets may only qualify for a portion of child payments under the Veterans' Entitlements Act. In this situation, the pensioner would receive a higher rate of Additional Family Payment from DSS under the Taxable Income Test. However, remaining with DVA will entitle the veteran to fringe benefits and possibly DVA treatment benefits. Any service pensioners in this situation should be advised about the option of testing their eligibility for Additional Family Payment at DSS. An example of this type of case is detailed at Attachment B. It should be noted that no service pensioners currently fall into this category.
War Widow/ers With Dependent Children
38.Section 45 VEA specifies that the provisional rate must be compared to the ceiling (frozen) rate to determine the amount of service pension payable. From
1 January 1994, the definition of 'ceiling rate' will allow the payment of Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance in addition to $3,122.60 per annum ($120.10 per fortnight) or the "pre-November 1986 rate", provided the pre-November 1986 rate did not include child payments.
39.A reduced rate of child related payments may be credited to a war widow/er under section 45 VEA when the basic rate of service pension is reduced to nil. However, a war widow/er with the same level of income and assets qualifies for the maximum applicable rate of Additional Family Payment from DSS under the Taxable Income Test.
40.Attachment C shows how to calculate the rate of service pension payable to a war widow/er with dependent children.
41.The following rules should be applied to calculate the rate of service pension and child payments to single war widow/ers who are not paid the pre-November 1986 rate. This will be simple administratively and ensure that no war widow/ers with children will be financially disadvantaged.
.Subtract deductible income from the maximum basic rate of service pension.
.Pay $120.10 service pension per fortnight if the amount calculated equals or exceeds this figure. The maximum applicable amount of child payments will be credited in addition to the $120.10 rate of service pension.
.Pay the calculated amount of service pension if this is less than the $120.10 and greater than nil. The maximum applicable amount of child payments will be credited in addition to this amount.
.The war widow/er should be advised to test eligibility for Additional Family Payment from DSS under the Taxable Income Test if the amount calculated is nil or a negative figure.
42.The following rules should be applied if a war widow/er qualifies for the
pre-November 1986 rate and this rate does not include child related payments:
.Subtract deductible income from the maximum basic rate of service pension.
.Pay the pre-November 1986 rate if the amount calculated equals or exceeds this figure. The maximum applicable amount of child payments will be credited in addition to the pre-November 1986 rate.
.Pay the calculated amount of service pension if this is less than the pre-November 1986 rate and greater than nil. The maximum applicable amount of child payments will be credited in addition to this amount.
.The war widow/er should be advised to test eligibility for Additional Family Payment from DSS under the Taxable Income Test if the amount calculated is nil or a negative figure.
43.Child related payments will not be paid in addition to the pre-November 1986 rate if that rate included child payments.
44.Disability pension should not be taken into account when calculating the rate of rent assistance payable to war widow/ers with dependent children.
45.These changes will also apply to a widow/er who remarries a service pensioner. Discretionary power should be invoked to direct payment to the widow/er if child payments are greater under section 45 VEA than would be payable under the rate calculator in section 42 VEA.
46.The rate of Service Pension, Dependent Child Add-On, Guardian Allowance and Rent Assistance payable to war widow/ers with children must be manually calculated and recorded on the manual rates screen. The manual rates screen will allow child payments to be itemised when the basic rate of service pension is less than the maximum rate.
THE EQUALISING EFFECT
47.Generally, Dependent Child Add-On is payable to one person only. Consequently, one partner may receive a higher total payment if a service pension couple have dependent children. If pension is reduced under the income or assets tests, the additional amount credited to one partner is reduced until both members of the couple are paid the same rate. The pension paid to the partners is then reduced equally so that both members of the couple are reduced to nil rate at the same time. This is known as the equalising effect. Sections 42-A3 & 42-A4 VEA refer.
48.DSS does not have this equalising arrangement due to the separation of assessment of child payments and pensions. A handful of cases exist where a couple have dependent children, the veteran is paid service pension and the partner is paid by DSS at less than the maximum rate. DSS will continue their administrative procedures to ensure that DSS/DVA couples with dependent children continue to receive the correct rate of pension and child payments. No manual action by DVA is required in such cases.
IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS
Advices
49.Those service pensioners whose child payments were varied on 6 January 1994 received an advice letter detailing the relevant policy changes. An article on the policy changes affecting child payments will be published in the February 1994 edition of Vetaffairs.
System Changes
50.The following PIPS screens have been amended to accommodate child payment policy changes: the personal assessment screen (PP.PA), the manual rates screen (PP.MR) and the trial screen (PP.TR).
51.The 'Institution' field on PP.PA has been renamed 'Child Payment'. This field is used to redirect child payments from the veteran to the partner. Entries in this field can only be made on the veteran's personal assessment screen.
52.The character 'D' should be entered in this field when child payments are being credited to the partner under the discretionary provisions. The character 'I' should be entered when a couple with dependent children separate due to the veteran's ill health. The character 'N' will default in all other cases. Attachment D shows the new format of PP.PA.
53.The field entitled 'Working Rule B Primary' has been removed from the Manual Rates screen (PP.MR) as no such cases exist. The field has been renamed 'Shared Care'. Entering the character 'Y' in this field will identify a shared care case. The amount payable in respect of a shared child must be manually calculated and recorded on PP.MR. It should be noted that the manual rates screen will allow child payments to be itemised when the basic rate of service pension is less than the maximum rate. Attachment E shows the revised manual rates screen.
54.The trial screen has been amended to reflect the changes on PP.PA and PP.MR. In addition, the 'YA88' field has been replaced by the field entitled 'HIGHAPC'. This field was developed for proposed changes to Dependent Child Add-On. However, these legislative changes were defeated in the Senate and have not become law. Consequently, this field does not have any practical application and will be removed from the system in due course. Attachment F shows the new trial screen.
CONTACT OFFICER
55.Please ring Graham Keaney on (02) 213 7770 if you have any enquiries relating to this instruction.
TONY ASHFORD
NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
BENEFITS
ATTACHMENT A
Commonwealth Department of
Veterans' Affairs
BRANCH OFFICE
CENTENNIAL PLAZA
80 ELIZABETH STREET
SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
POSTAL ADDRESS:
GPO BOX 3994, SYDNEY NSW 2001
Telephone:
Metropolitan Residents: '13 7777
Country Residents: 008 113 304
21/12/93
Application for continuation of additional pension for student child
Dear Sir/Madam,
Additional pension may be paid in respect of a student child between the ages of 16 and 24 (inclusive) provided the child is:
-undertaking fullÄtime education at a school, college or university;
-not receiving a pension or allowance (other than Basic Family Payment) from the Department of Social Security; and
-not entitled to a Commonwealth Education Allowance such as a payment under the Veterans' Children Education Scheme or the Austudy Scheme.
Please answer the questions on the back of this letter, sign the form and return it to this office as soon as possible.
You must notify the Department within 21 days if the child:
-ceases fullÄtime study;
-becomes eligible for a Commonwealth Education Allowance;
-is no longer dependent on you;
-leaves Australia for any period of time;
-has income of more than $4,100 a year if living at home, or $6,200 a year if living away from home; or
-dies.
Yours faithfully,
G K Stonehous
Deputy Commissioner as
delegate of the Secretary
ATTACHMENT B
A single veteran is a homeowner with income of $780 per fortnight ($20,280 per annum). The veteran has 1 child aged 10.
The rate payable under the Veterans' Entitlements Act is calculated as follows:
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$780.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$668.00
Divided by 2$334.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Dependent Child Add-On$ 64.20
Guardian Allowance$ 29.60
Pharmaceutical Allowance$ 5.20
Maximum payment rate$415.20
Maximum Payment Rate$415.20
Less Deductible Income$334.00
Rate payable$ 81.20
$81.20 is less than the combined maximum rate of Dependent Child Add-On and Guardian Allowance ($93.80). This veteran would qualify for $93.80 Additional Family Payment (AFP) from DSS under the Taxable Income Test as his annual income is less than $21,350 (the income free area for AFP with 1 dependent child). The veteran should be advised that DSS will pay a higher rate but cancellation of service pension would result in a loss of fringe benefit entitlement and DVA treatment benefits (if applicable).
ATTACHMENT C
Examples 1-3 illustrate how to calculate pension if a war widow's ceiling rate of service pension is $120.10 per fortnight. Examples 4-5 illustrate how to calculate pension if a war widow's ceiling rate of service pension is a pre-November 1986 rate. Example 6 shows how to calculate the rate of pension payable to a war widow who rents.
Example 1
A war widow lives with her only son who is 15 years old. She owns her home and has fortnightly income of $150.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$150.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$ 38.00
Divided by 2$ 19.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less:Deductible Income:$ 19.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension:$297.20
The calculated rate ($297.20) is greater than the ceiling rate of $120.10. Therefore the basic rate of service pension payable is $120.10 per fortnight. The maximum applicable rate of child payments will be credited in addition to this amount. The war widow will receive:
Service Pension:$120.10
Dependent Child Add-On:$ 90.60
Guardian Allowance:$ 29.60
Total:$240.30
Example 2
A war widow lives with her only son who is 15 years old. She owns her home and has fortnightly income of $600.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$600.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$488.00
Divided by 2$244.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less:Deductible Income:$244.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension:$ 72.20
The calculated or provisional rate of $72.20 is payable as it is less than the ceiling rate ($120.10).
The maximum applicable rate of child payments will be credited in addition to this amount. The war widow will receive:
Service Pension:$ 72.20
Dependent Child Add-On:$ 90.60
Guardian Allowance:$ 29.60
Total$192.40
Example 3
A war widow lives with her only son who is 15 years old. She owns her home and has fortnightly income of $750.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$750.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$638.00
Divided by 2$319.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less: Deductible Income:$319.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension: NIL
The war widow will be entitled to a higher rate of Additional Family Payment from DSS under the Taxable Income Test as the calculated rate is nil. She should be advised to make application for Additional Family Payment at DSS.
Example 4
A war widow lives with her adopted son who is 15 years old. She adopted the child at the beginning of 1993. She owns her home and has fortnightly income of $150. The widow was paid a pre-November 1986 rate of service pension of $200.00 per fortnight. The pre-November 1986 rate did not include any child payments.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$150.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$ 38.00
Divided by 2$ 19.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less:Deductible Income:$ 19.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension:$297.20
The calculated rate ($297.20) is greater than the pre-November 1986 rate of $200.00. Therefore the basic rate of service pension payable is $200.00 per fortnight. The maximum applicable rate of child payments will be credited in addition to this amount. The war widow will receive:
Service Pension:$200.00
Dependent Child Add-On:$ 90.60
Guardian Allowance:$ 29.60
Total:$320.20
Example 5
A war widow lives with her only son who is 15 years old. She owns her home and her fortnightly income has recently increased to $600. She is paid a pre-November 1986 rate of service pension of $200.00 per fortnight which includes child related payments.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$600.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$488.00
Divided by 2$244.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less:Deductible Income:$244.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension:$ 72.20
The calculated or provisional rate of $72.20 is payable as it is less than the ceiling rate (which is $200.00 as the pre-November 1986 rate includes child payments).
The maximum applicable rate of child payments will be credited in addition to the provisional rate. The war widow will receive:
Service Pension:$ 72.20
Dependent Child Add-On:$ 90.60
Guardian Allowance:$ 29.60
Total$192.40
Example 6
A war widow lives with her only son who is 15 years old. She pays $161 rent per fortnight and has fortnightly income of $150.
The maximum basic rate of service pension is $316.20 per fortnight.
Deductible income is:Assessable Income:$150.00
Less — Income Free Area:$112.00
$ 38.00
Divided by 2$ 19.00
Maximum basic rate of service pension:$316.20
Less:Deductible Income:$ 19.00
Calculated Rate Of Service Pension:$297.20
The calculated rate ($297.20) is greater than the ceiling rate of $120.10. Therefore the basic rate of service pension payable is $120.10 per fortnight.
Child payments (including rent assistance) are paid in addition to this amount. War widows pension does not affect the rate of rent assistance payable. Therefore, the amount of rent assistance (RA) payable is determined by comparing the maximum applicable rate of RA ($74.80) to the figure derived from the following formula:
3 — x(Rent Payable - Rent Threshold)
4
3 — x($161 - $81) =$60
4
$60 is less than the maximum rate of rent assistance payable to a service pensioner with one dependent child ($74.80). Therefore, the rate of rent assistance is $60 per fortnight.
The war widow will receive:
Service Pension:$120.10
Dependent Child Add-On:$ 90.60
Guardian Allowance:$ 29.60
Rent Assistance$ 60.00
Total:$300.30
ATTACHMENT D
NEXT: :PENSIONS PROCESSING — 23/12/93
STATE: N FILE NO: DOB: 08/09/23
CASE NO:
PERSON IND: VET — EFF DATE: 27/05/93 — STATUS:ASSMT ID: 00970221
MANUAL RATES (MR)
ENTER Y TO SELECT ASSESSMENT METHOD OR LEAVE BLANK TO DELETE
RULE-B FROZEN:SHARED CARE:EARNINGS CREDIT:MISCELLANEOUS:
HARDSHIP:LOAN SCHEME:HARDSHIP LOAN:WAR WIDOW SP:
VETERAN — SPOUSE
WARNING: CHILD EXISTS IN ASSESSMENT --RATE----RATE--
ASSESSMENT TYPE::
SERVICE PENSION::
TAXABLE PENSION::
ADDITIONAL PENSION FOR CHILDREN::
GUARDIANS ALLOWANCE::
REMOTE LOCALITY ALLOWANCE::
SUPPLEMENTARY ASSISTANCE::
REG. 66 SP (Y/N): DATE::
REG. 66 SP/DP (Y/N)::
PRESCRIBED RATES => INCOME:ASSET:
NO MANUAL RATES ENTERED FOR ASSESSMENT ;NO UPDATE ALLOWED - CURRENT STATUS
ATTACHMENT E
NEXT: :PENSIONS PROCESSING — 23/12/93
STATE: V FILE NO: DOB: 25/07/25
CASE NO:
PERSON IND: VET — EFF DATE: 11/11/93 — STATUS:ASSMT ID: 00796895
>>> TRIAL ASSESSMENT (TR) <<<
CURRENT ACTION: NONE — ORDER OF REDUCTION - VEA OR PMF (V/P): V
VET/SPS DOB: 25/07/25 12/06/56 — SPELIG: Y Y SPCLASS: OA OA ENTLMNT: PX PX
WW2IND:SEPMED:BLINDED:CHLDPAY:
RENT:ASSETLIM: L L — RESSIT: OW OW — RESQUAL:
93 RA SAV:ACCOMPUR: N N — OSEASID:SPSDSS:
RAAELIG:FB SAVED: Y Y
SPS DEPVTSP:SPSCARE:PAIDOTH:
CHILDREN NO:2 — UNDER13:1UNDER16:1 — NUMSTUD:DOB YGEST: 13/01/87
EDC:48.00 RAA:INVALID:HIGHAPC:YA:
DP VET DP:SDA:SPS DEP:SPS VET: SDA:
OSEAS:EATS/COMP ADJ:DIV10 ADJ:OTHER:
INCOME FI:.87 ML:PS:NS:MI:
IN:HO:BU:FA:PR:
IA:50.44 OA:DA:MA:PF:
ASSETS FI:1700.00 ML:PS:NS:MI:
HO:20000.00 BU:FA:PR: 15000.00
IA:21666.66 OA:16136.00 DA:PRINT TO:
WARNING: DEEMED AMOUNTS DISPLAYED;ALTER DETAILS AS REQUIRED PRESS
ATTACHMENT F
NEXT: :PENSIONS PROCESSING — 23/12/93
STATE: N FILE NO: DOB: 08/09/23
CASE NO:
PERSON IND: VET — EFF DATE: 27/05/93 — STATUS:ASSMT ID: 00970221
>>> PERSONAL ASSESSMENT (PA) <<<
CLIENTS IN ASSESSMENT: VET SPS CHD CHE CHF CHG
ELIGIBLE FOR SP PAYMENT: Y
CLASS: PU (OA,PU,TB) DATE OF BIRTH: 08/09/23
ENTITLEMENT: X — DATE OF DEATH:
WORLD WAR 2: Y — SEX:M (F/M)
PAID AT DSS: N
SEPARATED FOR MEDICAL REASONS: N
CHILD PAYMENT: N (D,I,N)
BLINDED: N
MARINER: N
REMOTE LOCALITY ALLOWANCE: N
DEPENDANT SP VETERAN: N
SPOUSE CARER: N
PAID ON OTHER FILE NO/INTERSTATE: N
RESIDENT OVERSEAS: N
FRINGE BENEFITS SAVED: N
NO UPDATE ALLOWED Ä CURRENT STATUS