Chapter 24. Sickness Allowance, Newstart Allowance (incapacitated) and Youth Allowance (incapacitated)

1. Introduction

1.1 Scope of chapter

1.2 Which payment? Sickness Allowance, Newstart Allowance, or Youth Allowance?

2. Qualification for Sickness Allowance

2.1 Basic qualification

2.2 What is meant by “work”

2.3 What is meant by “temporary”

2.4 What is meant by “incapacity to work”

2.5 Students

2.6 Age requirements

2.7 Amount paid

2.8 Effect of sick and holiday pay

3. Qualification for Newstart Allowance (incapacitated) and Youth Allowance (incapacitated)

3.1 Qualification

3.2 Exemption from the activity test

4. When and how to claim

4.1 When to claim and “backdating” claims

4.2 Simultaneous claims for Disability Support Pension

4.3 How to claim – by form and by telephone

4.4 Medical certificates

4.5 Renewed claims – “maximum allowance period”

4.6 Extension of the “maximum allowance period”

4.7 Lodgement of new claims

5. Assessment and reviews by Centrelink

5.1 Enquiries by Centrelink

5.2 Reviews by Centrelink

5.3 The 40 week review

5.4 Commonwealth rehabilitation programs

6. Activity Agreements for people with a medical incapacity

6.1 Activity Agreements

7. Useful links and resources

7.1 Factsheets

7.2 Forms

7.3 Self-advocacy booklets