Offering services to build financial capability at application
When clients apply for a Special Needs Grant, Advance Payment of Benefit or Recoverable Assistance Payment they will be offered information on services to help them build their financial capability, eg help them manage their money.
For more information see:
- Building Financial Capability services [no link find out why] procedures
- Hardship Assistance [no link find out why] procedures
Clients who do not use the services offered
When clients apply for a Special Needs Grant, Advance Payment of Benefit or Recoverable Assistance Payment and are offered information on services to help them build their financial capability, the client can choose not to use them as they are optional.
If a client chooses not to use the services offered this is not a reason to fail a client's reasonable steps or budgeting activity obligation.
A client can be required to complete budgeting activities, including those provided by building financial capability services only if they have:
- had a budgeting activity obligation applied and
- been told about the obligation and what they must do to meet it
For more information see:
Legislation
- Advance payment of instalments of benefit section 347 Social Security Act 2018
- Requirement for beneficiary, spouse or partner, or both, to undertake budgeting activity section 348 Social Security Act 2018
- Advance payment of benefits regulations 201-204 Social Security Regulations 2018
- Exercise of Discretion clause 6.4 Direction on Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit
