Payment process for couples
Young people who are married, in a civil union or de facto relationship are granted Young Parent Payment in their own right. Young Parent Payment is not apportioned as are other benefits paid to people who are married, in a civil union or de facto relationship, for example Jobseeker Support.
Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit can only be granted to one of the young people in the couple.
The redirections need to be allocated equally because of the way the in-hand allowance and remainder are paid.
The following process shows how Young Parent Payment is paid when a couple is subject to youth money management:
Step 1
Add up the costs and work out eligibility for Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support based on the couple's costs.
Step 2
Deduct the Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit from the total costs. This leaves the amount for which they do not get any assistance.
Step 3
Divide this in half to find out what each person is responsible for contributing.
Step 4
The partner who is getting Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit must contribute the amount they are getting for each of these, plus half of the amount from step 3.
Note because Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit can only be paid to one person, the person getting them is generally responsible for any debt created. Debts cannot be created for family tax credit and best start tax credit.
Step 5
The partner not getting any Extra Help must contribute their half share of step 3. This amount will go to offset the highest cost.
Note a young person cannot review the decision on how the Young Parent Payment is paid to them.
For more information see:
