Commencement date

To decide when the Emergency Benefit can start you must first find the entitlement date.

This is usually the date that a person no longer has a means of support.

For a list of these dates see:

• Entitlement date

Generally, Emergency Benefits are subject to an initial stand-down period of up to a maximum of two weeks after the entitlement date.

The commencement date is:

• the day after the initial stand-down ends or
• the application date

whichever is the later.

However, if clients apply within 28 days of their entitlement date, the commencement date rules are different, and the 28 day rule can be used when the equivalent benefit is:

• Sole Parent Support
• Supported Living Payment
• Jobseeker Support on the grounds of health condition, injury or disability
• Jobseeker Support granted to a sole parent
• Jobseeker Support granted to a client who has recently lost the financial support of their spouse due to death, commenced living apart (including imprisonment) or ending of a de facto relationship
• Youth Payment
• Young Parent Payment

There are some situations when an initial stand-down is not imposed. When no stand-down applies, the commencement date of the benefit is:

• the entitlement date or
• the application date

whichever is the later.