The Integrated Services Project (ISP) is a partnership between Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) and Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) to improve client outcomes through financial counsellors and social security lawyers working together. As always, our Worker Help Line service is open for your calls Monday to Friday on 9481 0655.

This month, we are sharing a story about a client who contacted SSRV after he was refused the Age Pension due to assets that he could not access.

Lindsay was experiencing severe financial hardship, with no source of income and minimal savings. He lived in a property in regional Victoria, where it was difficult to contact Centrelink, and he was socially isolated. Lindsay had worked in mining until the age of 73 but had experienced financial abuse from his ex-partner, who had left the country two years prior without informing him.

Lindsay and his ex-partner jointly owned the house he lived in, as well as another property where his ex-partner’s family were living. Because his ex-partner’s name was on the title to both properties, Lindsay could not sell the second property and had no way to get in touch with her.

SSRV contacted Centrelink’s Advocates Channel to submit a claim for consideration under the Asset Hardship provisions. Where a client is experiencing severe financial hardship and their assets either reduce their payment or prevent them from receiving a payment, they can apply to have an asset exempted from the assets and income test for a Centrelink payment.

SSRV was able to demonstrate that Lindsay’s ex-partner had left the country two years earlier and that, as he could not sell the property he did not live in, he was eligible to have it exempted from the assets test. Because Lindsay’s hardship application was submitted within 13 weeks of the rejection of his Age Pension claim and was successful, he was eligible for back pay from the date of his initial application. He was thrilled to not only have an income but also a small amount of back pay, which allowed him to afford a visit to see his son interstate.

While asset hardship exemption matters are most commonly seen with Age Pension clients, this issue can affect any Centrelink payment. If you encounter clients whose assets are impacting their Centrelink payments, please contact our Worker Help Line to discuss the Asset Hardship provisions further. If we are busy when you call, please leave a voicemail and we will call you back promptly.