Benefit has expired

If a client's Jobseeker Support (health condition, injury or disability) has expired and the client has provided medical coverage from the date the benefit expired, the benefit can be resumed from the expiry date as long as the client meets the qualifications during the expired period.

When deciding whether to resume the benefit from the expiry date, where your client does not have medical coverage during the expired period, you should consider:

• the length of time without medical coverage
• how they have financially supported themselves
• the nature of their illness
• any reasons why medical coverage was not supplied and
• whether they need a payment of arrears

If it is reasonably clear that your client meets the qualifications during the expired period and would have had medical coverage, resume the benefit from the expiry date.

If it is not clear, you can ask your client to provide medical coverage for the period. If your client cannot provide evidence, resume the benefit from the date of medical coverage.

As a guideline, if the expiry period is over 28 days, the client may be required to re-apply for the benefit.

There may be situations when a client is unable to provide a current medical certificate before the expiry date.

If a client has a good and sufficient reason for the delay, you can consider applying a discretionary medical expiry extension allowing a client more time to produce a current medical certificate and continue getting their benefit during the extension period.

Note existing medical information can be used to extend medical coverage of up to 4 weeks.