7 March 2016: Ombudsman publishes report on Income Maintenance Periods and Special Benefit

The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Colin Neave, today released his report into the administration of Income Maintenance Periods and Special Benefit by the Department of Human Services’ Centrelink program and the policy instructions for the program issued by the Department of Social Services.

The Ombudsman’s inquiry responded to complaints from people in financial difficulty after they lost their jobs, spent their employment payout, and were then unable to get assistance from Centrelink while they waited out non-payment, ‘Income Maintenance Periods’. Often people only learned about this requirement after they had spent their employment payouts.

“In our investigation we looked closely at the policy instructions that the Department of Social Services gives Centrelink,” Mr Neave said. 

“We found that the instructions limited Centrelink staff’s capacity to use their discretion in considering whether an Income Maintenance Period could be made shorter and whether the claimant could be granted a Special Benefit during the period.”

The Ombudsman made a number of recommendations which seek to address these issues.

“Overall, the Department of Social Services, which is responsible for the relevant legislation and policy, responded positively to the investigation, agreeing to address the recommendations and taking steps to improve its policies.

“More needs to be done on implementing the recommendations, including removing the remaining restraints on the discretion to grant Special Benefit.”

Mr Neave said his office would continue to work closely with both departments to monitor the issue and implementation of the recommendations in the report.

He also acknowledged the assistance his office received from both departments throughout the investigation and report drafting process.

Media contact: Candice Beale 02 6276 3759