In Australia, eligibility for special benefit payments is determined based on specific criteria set by the Australian government. To be eligible for special benefit, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Residence: Applicants must be Australian residents or hold a specific visa subclass that allows access to social security payments. They must also be residing in Australia at the time of application.
- Financial Need: Individuals must demonstrate that they are in financial hardship and do not have access to other income support payments or allowances. This means they must provide evidence that they do not meet the eligibility criteria for other available payments, such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Newstart Allowance, or other relevant allowances.You’re in financial hardship if all of the following apply:
- you have less than $5,000
- your income is less than the Special Benefit fortnightly payment
- you can’t improve your financial position.
- Income and Assets: Special benefit eligibility is subject to means testing. Applicants’ income and assets are assessed to determine their financial situation. The specific income and asset thresholds may vary based on individual circumstances, including family composition, marital status, and other factors.
- Compelling Reason: Applicants need to provide a compelling reason why they should receive special benefit instead of other income support payments. This can include situations such as being a newly arrived resident waiting for a decision on a permanent visa, individuals with extraordinary medical or disability-related expenses, or those who have experienced domestic violence or unsafe circumstances.
You can claim Special Benefit for a child if all of the following apply:
- You are not eligible for any other income support payments because you’re not a permanent resident
- Your child is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You have custody
You can also get Special Benefit if your Employment Services Provider approves either your:
- full-time study for a specific time
- training to meet a mutual obligation requirement.
Changes to rules due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Due to COVID-19 some changes have made changes to some rules for Special Benefit. You may get it if you meet 1 of these:
- you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident under 16
- you haven’t lived in Australia long enough to qualify for Age Pension or Disability Support Pension
- you’re the holder of an eligible temporary visa.
Eligible temporary visas include any of the following:
- Humanitarian visas, subclasses 785, 786, 790 and 449
- partner visas, subclass 309, 820
- bridging visas, subclasses 060 and 070.
The newly arrived resident’s waiting period has been temporarily removed due to COVID-19.
If you’ve been financially affected by COVID-19, you may be able to get up to $10,000 of your super early. Read more about COVID-19 early release of super on the ATO website. You can apply through ATO online services.
It’s important to note that special benefit payments are intended as a safety net for individuals who do not qualify for other income support payments and are facing exceptional and unforeseen circumstances. The eligibility criteria and requirements can change over time, so it is advisable to consult the official website of Services Australia or contact their offices directly to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding eligibility for special benefit payments.