In-hand allowance
When a young person getting Young Parent Payment is subject to youth money management, they can get an amount of up to $50 a week paid directly to them as an in-hand allowance.
After the young person's accommodation, service costs and lawful debts are paid by redirection, the balance of payment, if any, is distributed between the young person's payment card and the in-hand allowance. The maximum amount that can be paid direct to a young person as an in-hand allowance is $50.
Distribution of payment after redirections
Generally, where there is more than $50 available after all of a young person's redirections have occurred, $50 would be paid direct to the young person and the remainder would be placed on their payment card, unless YSSU is satisfied that another distribution would be more appropriate for the young person.
Youth Service providers are responsible for making recommendations to YSSU as to how their clients' payments should be distributed between the payment card and in-hand allowance.
When making these recommendations to YSSU, providers consider what would be the most appropriate distribution for the young person, given their individual circumstances.
YSSU then makes the final decision as to how the young person's payment will be distributed, taking into account the information supplied by the young person's service provider.
Example 1
A sole parent renting has $110 left after their accommodation and service costs and any debts have been paid. A maximum of $50 could be paid direct to the client.
However, the service provider wants to ensure the young person has enough money to purchase a sufficient amount of food for herself and her toddler. The young parent lives close to the school she is attending and the childcare centre her child is attending is also within walking distance.
The provider discusses with the young person in their budgeting sessions what their spending habits are and the young person advises that she goes to the market to get her fruit and vegetables.
The provider decides to recommend the young person gets a $50 in-hand allowance and will review to see that she is doing this and has enough food with $60 on her payment card. YSSU makes a decision to agree with the recommendation, and decides to pay the client a $50 in-hand allowance, and to put $60 on her payment card.
Example 2
A young parent with a toddler in a boarding situation has $80 left after her board costs (which include food) and any debts have been paid.
The young parent has transport costs to get to and from school and must use public transport to drop her child off at day-care. The young person must pay for the child's nappies and formula from the supermarket herself.
After discussions with the young person, the provider recommends paying a $40 in-hand allowance to the young person and placing $40 on the payment card to be used to purchase nappies, wipes and formula.
YSSU decides to agree with the recommendation and decides to pay the client a $40 in-hand allowance and to put $40 on the payment card.
Altering the distribution of payment for existing clients already subject to youth money management
If, at any time, a Youth Service provider considers that the current distribution of an existing client's payment between the payment card and in-hand allowance is inappropriate for the client's circumstances, they can make a recommendation to YSSU that this distribution be altered.
When determining whether it is appropriate to make a recommendation that a client's payment distribution be altered, providers must take into account a range of factors.
Note a young person cannot review the decision on how the Young Parent Payment is paid to them.
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