Sanctions for couples - both fail

Married, civil union or de facto couples with dependent children who both fail to meet their activity obligations at the same time do have their whole payment sanctioned.

A maximum sanction of 50% of the total Young Parent Payment may be imposed. The balance payable is known as 50% protection.

If both people in a married, civil union or de facto couple fail their activity obligations for the first or second time, each person's in-hand allowance (or $50 for those who are not subject to youth money management before the failure) and any incentive payments are suspended until they recomply with the obligation(s) they have failed.

The couple can continue to get any Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support and Winter Energy Payment to which they are entitled.

If both people in a married, civil union or de facto couple fails their activity obligations for a third time:

• 50% each person's Young Parent Payment, and all of their incentive payments, is cancelled immediately
• 50% Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support is cancelled and
• they are both subject to a non-entitlement period for 13 weeks from the date of cancellation

They can continue to get the full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment as they are still getting a qualifying benefit.

Both young people may get a provisional benefit and have their payment increased to 100% if they start a six-week approved activity.

If the young person does not start a 6-week approved activity, they must reapply at the end of their non-entitlement period to get a benefit.

Note Disability Allowance, Child Disability Allowance and Childcare Assistance (including Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment) can continue to be paid during a non-entitlement period.

For more information see:

• Definition of second and third failures
• Effect of sanctions on assistance

If the young person has not recomplied within 2 weeks, the service provider or Work and Income "in-house" service will need to contact the young person to discuss financial assistance and recompliance.

If they have not recomplied at 4 weeks, a letter will need to be sent requesting the young person attends an interview to discuss ongoing entitlement to Young Parent Payment.

For more information see:

• Recompliance (Grade 1 and 2)
• Recompliance (13 week non-entitlement period)