Contact made but reapplication not completed by expiry date

Where a client makes contact to complete the 52 week reapplication process before their expiry date but it cannot be completed before their expiry date, through no fault of their own, an extension may be granted.

An extension may be granted for up to 10 working days starting on their expiry date, on the condition that the client complete the reapplication process as soon as possible and within the extension period.

Generally, this extension can be used when:

• a client contacts MSD before their expiry date and there are no available appointments for them or
• there are delays in MSD processing the reapplication or
• a client cannot attend an appointment as the MSD service centre has closed unexpectedly, for example in an emergency

Note if a client is granted an extension and completes the reapplication process within 10 working days of their expiry date, and they still qualify for Sole Parent Support, the benefit must be regranted from their expiry date.

If a client does not complete the 52 week reapplication process within the extension period or no longer qualifies for Sole Parent Support, their benefit will be cancelled from their expiry date. The amount of benefit (including any Extra help) that was conditionally paid during the extension period must be established as a debt.

If the client does not complete the reapplication process within the extension period or was not granted an extension, they must apply as a new applicant if they still need Sole Parent Support. Their expired benefit must be cancelled from their expiry date before they can be granted Sole Parent Support as a new applicant.

The client will be subject to the usual commencement date rules, including the initial stand-down.

Note if the client advises they want to apply for Sole Parent Support as a new applicant and completes the reapplication form, MSD must use their reapplication form as their new application.

For more information see:

• Commencement date
• Initial stand-down