Sanctions for couples - one person fails

When one person in a married, civil union or de facto couple with dependent children fails to meet their activity obligations, they do not have their whole payment sanctioned.

Instead a maximum sanction of 50% of the total Young Parent Payment may be imposed on the person who failed. The balance payable is known as 50% protection.

If one person in a married, civil union or de facto couple fails the activity obligations for the first or second time, that 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 and Temporary Additional Support to which they are entitled, as well as the full rate of Winter Energy Payment.

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

• 50% of their Young Parent Payment, and all of their incentive payments, is cancelled immediately
• their portion of Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support and Winter Energy Payment is cancelled and
• the young person is subject to a non-entitlement period period for 13 weeks from the date of cancellation

The young person 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:

• Effect of sanctions on assistance
• Definition of second and third failures
• Payment to the non-sanctioned partner

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)