Sanctions for couples - one person fails

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 they have failed (or obligations if they have failed to comply with one or more of their obligations).

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

If the person being sanctioned has not recomplied within four weeks, they will have their Youth Payment, incentives and their portion of Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support suspended. They cannot get their portion of Winter Energy Payment. The full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment can be paid to the partner who hasn’t failed.

Their benefit will remain suspended until they recomply or the payment is automatically cancelled after 13 weeks.

For more information see:

• Recompliance (Grade 1 and 2)

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

• their Youth Payment, and any 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 for 13 weeks from the date of cancellation

Winter Energy Payment cannot continue to be paid to the client who has failed as they are not getting a qualifying benefit. The full couple rate of Winter Energy Payment can be paid to the partner who hasn't failed.

The young person may get a provisional benefit if they start a six-week approved activity.

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

Note Disability Allowance can continue to be paid during a non-entitlement period.

For more information see:

• Recompliance (13 week non-entitlement period)
• Payment to the non-sanctioned partner
• Effect of sanctions on assistance
• Definition of second and third failures