Charging income - caring for a person

Income is charged weekly as it is earned and at the following rates:

• 30 cents is taken from the benefit for each $1.00 of income the client earns over $160 per week, but not more than $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)
• 70 cents for each $1.00 of income over $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)

Note if you are paying Emergency Benefit at the rate of another type of benefit (instead of Supported Living Payment - caring for a person) then you must use the appropriate income test for that benefit.

Remember generally Emergency Benefit is granted on the grounds of hardship. If the client has a change in income, you may need to review the client's entitlement.

If a client has a partner (with or without dependent children) and the partner is granted, in their own right any of the main benefits or is working, income is charged weekly as it is earned and at the following rates:

• 15 cents is taken from each of their benefits for each $1.00 of combined income the client and their partner earn over $160 per week, but not more than $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)
• 35 cents for each $1.00 of combined income over $250 per week (as at 1 April 2022)