Paying other assistance during an activity obligations sanction

Sole parents who are sanctioned can continue to get full supplementary assistance, regardless of the grade of sanction.

Married, civil union or de facto couples who have a grade 3 sanction imposed can get 50% of their entitlement to the following supplementary assistance:

• Accommodation Supplement
• Temporary Additional Support

Note when one person fails, the 50% of the couple's entitlement is paid to non-sanctioned partner. When both fail, 25% of the couple's entitlement is paid to each person.

The Winter Energy Payment is treated slightly different to other Supplementary Assistance.

Winter Energy Payment can continue to be paid in situations where a portion of main benefit continues to be paid.  In some cases it can continue to be paid at the full couple rate in cases where one client has been fully sanctioned.

Clients who have a dependent child, and who are getting Winter Energy Payment who are subject to a 100% suspension or cancellation have a maximum sanction of 50% of the total benefit imposed (including other supplementary assistance). However, the full rate of Winter Energy Payment should continue to be paid.

Sole parents also have a maximum sanction of 50% of the total benefit imposed but like other supplementary assistance, will continue to get the total amount of the Winter Energy Payment, regardless of the grade of the sanction.

The following Extra help can continue be paid if the young person is eligible:

• Disability Allowance
• Child Disability Allowance
• Childcare Assistance, including Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment
• family tax credit and Best Start tax credit

Note Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment could not continue if the failure reason was for not meeting their education, training or work-based learning obligation.

Young people are not entitled to Special Needs Grants if an activity obligations failure has been imposed.

The only exception to this is if a young person is sick or injured when a grade three sanction is imposed and they are incapable of participating in full-time employment or an approved activity for six weeks. For more information see:

• Assistance during a non-entitlement period
• Assistance when a client is sanctioned

Young people may get assistance to transition into employment if a sanction has been imposed and they meet the qualifications for it.

For more information see:

• Employment and work readiness Assistance to transition into employment