This page relates to the questions surrounding eligible Centrelink payments and includes the types that do and do not meet the criteria, independent rates and payment statuses (i.e. the classification or reason for the payment). If you need clarification on any terms please view the Glossary of Terms and/or the TILA Guidelines.

FAQ Centrelink Payments

? When does the Centrelink Verification Form (Attachment B) need to be filled in?
A Attachment B is required to be filled in by Centrelink if you are applying under the Informal Care criteria. This would be the case if you were or are currently residing in a homelessness service, crisis or medium-term supported accommodation or juvenile justice.

? If I was in Formal Care or am still in Formal Care do I have to have this form filled in, and if so, do I need to be on one of these four payments?
A Not necessarily. You may be required to prove your Centrelink eligibility if you have exited Formal Care more than 24 months ago. If this is the case you must apply under the Informal Care criteria which requires Centrelink to fill in Attachment B and to show that you have been on or are currently on one of the four eligible payments.

A reminder that if you left Formal Care more than 24 months ago you would also need to have enterd an informal care service such as a homelessness service, crisis or medium-term supported accommodation service or juvenile justice to be eligible. You would then apply for TILA when you are transitioning from one of these care arrangements.

? What are the four eligible payments to be able to receive the TILA allowance?
A The four eligible payment types are: Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension, Abstudy and Special Benefit. Please note: you must have been receiving one of these payments at the independent rate, and were doing so at the time because of one of the payment status listed in Question 5 of Attachment B.

? What is the difference between the dependent and independent rate of Youth Allowance?
A The dependent rate means you receive a lower rate of Youth Allowance, and your parent's or guardian's income and assets will affect your payment. Centrelink may reduce your Youth Allowance each fortnight because of their assets or income. Dependent Youth Allowance can be paid at the "at home" or "away from home" rate.

The independent rate means you receive a higher rate of Youth Allowance, and your parent's or guardian's income and assets would not affect your payment. Your rate of Youth Allowance may also depend on where you are living.

? How do I know if I am independent?
A You will be regarded as "independent" from your parents or guardian if:

• It would be unreasonable for you to live at home
• Both of your parents are deceased and you have not been legally adopted;
• Your parent(s):
 - are in prison or remanded in custody for at least 14 days; or
 - are in a nursing home and likely to remain for an indefinite period; or
 - are mentally incapacitated and likely to remain so for an indefinite period; or
 - they are missing;

• You are a refugee without a parent living in Australia and you are not substantially dependent on another person on a long-term basis.
• You are a "disadvantaged young person"
• You are in the legal guardianship of a State or Territory (i.e., you are a ward of the State) and not living with your parents or receiving a payment from them for your upkeep.

? How do I show I am unable to live at home?
A In most cases you, your parents and a third person will have to complete statements explaining your circumstances at home. You will also have a meeting with a Centrelink social worker to talk about your circumstances. If there are reasons why you do not want the social worker to contact your parents, you should discuss this with him or her.

? How do know if I am a disadvantaged young person?
A You are a "disadvantaged young person" if:

• You are at least 18 years old; and
• You have had full-time employment of, on average, 30 hours per week for a 12 month period (or several periods totaling at least 12 months); and
• You do not live at home with one or both of your parents; and
• You are, in Centrelink's opinion, "specially disadvantaged" with respect to education or employment (e.g., if you have not completed year 12 or your personal circumstances and labour market skills are such that you will have difficulty getting a job); and
• You are not receiving either direct or indirect financial support from a parent or guardian.

? What are the payment statuses that are eligible to receive TILA?
A The eligible payment statuses are listed below and can be found in Question 5 of Attachment B:

• Independent - In supported state care
• Independent - In unsupported state care
• Independent - Orphan
• Independent - Refugee without parents in Australia
• Independent - Parents unable to provide a home
• Homelessness - Unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH)

? What are some of the payment statuses which do not satisfy the eligibility criteria?
A Some of the payment statuses which do not satisfy the eligibility criteria are listed below and include any payment status not listed in the previous question's answer above:

• Away from Home Rate
• Independent due to having a dependent child
• Independent due to being in a de-facto relationship or a member of a couple
• Independent due to 75% earnings
• Independent due to home not conducive to study

? Do I have to be on one of these four payment types at the moment?
A Not necessarily. When Centrelink completes Attachment B you must have been on one of the four eligible payments at the time you were eligible for Youth Allowance even if you are now on an ineligible payment such as Parenting Payment or Newstart.

? I am currently on Parenting Payment. Am I eligible?
A You may be eligible if you were previously eligible for or receiving one of the four eligible payments at the independent rate and were doing so at the time because of one of the eligibile payment status listed above and in Question 5 of Attachment B. Parenting Payment is an ineligible benefit.

? What about if I have never received a previous eligible payment type and have only ever been on Parenting Payment?
A Because you cannot satisfy this eligibility criteria under the TILA Guidelines, you would not be eligible.

? I am currently on Newstart. Am I eligible?
A Please refer to answers to Parenting Payment.

? I am a refugee and have only been on Newstart. Am I eligible?
A You must still satisfy the criteria of having been eligible for or receiving one of the four eligible payment types at the independent rate and were doing so at the time because of one of the eligibile payment status listed above and in Question 5 of Attachment B. You must also have been in Formal or Informal Care and making a transition into independent living as per normal.