Social Security Act 1991

This section explains whether, and how, to change the eligibility period for a person who is neither undertaking, nor intending to undertake, a short course.

Subject to subsection (3), the eligibility period that would have applied to the person apart from this subsection (the eligibility period otherwise applicable) must be changed if the person applied for financial supplement after 31 May in the year in which the period is included.

The Secretary may decide that the period is not to be changed if the Secretary is satisfied that:

the person took reasonable steps to apply within 4 weeks after being given a supplement entitlement notice; and

circumstances beyond the person’s control prevented the person from applying within the 4 weeks; and

the person applied as soon as practicable after the circumstances stopped.

If the eligibility period otherwise applicable is to be changed and the person applied before 1 October in the year, the person’s new eligibility period is the period:

starting on the later of 1 July and the start of the eligibility period otherwise applicable; and

ending when the eligibility period otherwise applicable would have ended.

If the eligibility period otherwise applicable is to be changed and the person applied on or after 1 October in the year, the person’s new eligibility period is the period:

starting on the later of:

the day when the person applied; and

the start of the eligibility period otherwise applicable; and

ending when the eligibility period otherwise applicable would have ended.