Hardship exceptional circumstances

You can disregard some or all of a young person's cash assets when you are looking at granting Young Parent Payment on grounds of hardship. You can only do this if you think that there are exceptional circumstances.

Things you need to consider:

• if you refuse to grant Young Parent Payment on grounds of hardship to a young person, will it have a serious effect on the young person's health or welfare
• if you refuse to grant Young Parent Payment on grounds of hardship to a young person, would the likely alternatives cost the Government more
• can the young person realise (that is sell or get access to their cash assets) for more than the appropriate cash asset limit
• is the need for Young Parent Payment temporary
• what is the total amount of the young person's assets, including assets that are not cash assets and
• what are the other matters that you would consider relevant to determining whether hardship exists

Every case has to be looked at on its own merits.

If you have a case where you think you can disregard some or all of a young person's cash assets, contact Helpline to discuss the circumstances before you make your decision.