Hello from a new name, Kristen

From July I will be working with Eloise on the Integrated Service Project. I am a SSRV community lawyer at SSRV and my work for the ISP will include clinic advice, Worker Helpline assistance, representation and legal education, and systemic advocacy work. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Farewell, Graeme

Financial counsellor Graeme Parsons concluded his role at SSRV in early July. We would like to acknowledge Graeme’s contribution to the Integrated Services Project; over two and a half years, Graeme obtained great outcomes for our clients and worked closely with the SSRV team to develop integrated services at the intersection between social security legal assistance and financial counselling services. Best wishes to Graeme Parsons in his next role at the Cancer Council. We are keen to continue his work and are planning to appoint another financial counsellor soon.

Balancing FTB and CCS Payments

With the end of the financial year, Services Australia has begun the process of balancing payments for people on Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Child Care Subsidy (CCS). This involves comparing estimated and actual income for the financial year to determine a person’s entitlement to these payments. Services Australia balance FTB and CCS separately.

Most families need to confirm their income so Services Australia can start the balancing process. However, not everyone has to do the same thing for Services Australia to balance their payments. More information about this process can be found here: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/balancing-family-tax-benefit?context=22151

Debts can arise when a person’s actual income exceeds their estimated income, where the recipient or their partner fails to lodge their tax return within the prescribed time or fails to advise Centrelink that they do not need to lodge a tax return within the prescribed time.

Generally, a FTB or CCS recipient has until the end of the following financial year to confirm their family income or claim FTB as a lump sum. For the 2023-24 financial year, this means a FTB or CCS recipient has until 30 June 2025 to:

• Lodge their tax return for the 2023-24 financial year, so their FTB/CCS entitlements can be reconciled by Centrelink;
• Advise Centrelink that they are not required to lodge a tax return for the 2023-24 FY;
• Make a claim for FTB as a lump sum for the 2023-24 financial year if not already lodged.

If the above timelines are not met for lodging a tax return or advising Centrelink a tax return lodgement is not required, Centrelink may withhold future entitlements and raise debts.

Social Security Rights Victoria can provide advice and assistance to financial counsellors responding to these debts.