28-day rule for clients with an initial stand down

When clients in the following circumstances apply for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship within 28 days of their entitlement date, the commencement date rules are different:

• clients who have a health condition, injury or disability
• sole parents
• clients who have lost the financial support of their spouse due to:
  • death
  • separation
  • ending of a de facto relationship or
  • imprisonment

For these clients, the commencement date is the day after the initial stand-down ends.

This means, in some situations, MSD can commence a benefit from a date earlier than the application date.

If the application is not received within 28 days, MSD cannot backdate the commencement date.

Note the 28-day rule only applies to clients who have an initial stand down imposed.