Dependent or independent

If you’re 21 or older, you’ll get the maximum DSP payment rate for your situation.

If you’re 20 or younger with no dependent children in your care, how much DSP you get depends on whether you’re dependent or independent.

Your parents’ or guardians’ income won’t affect how much DSP you can get.

We’ll consider certain criteria relating to your circumstances to determine if you’re dependent or independent. These include if you have a dependent child in your care, your relationship status, your accommodation and if you have supported yourself through paid work.

How we assess your circumstances if you’re 20 or younger

We’ll ask you questions relating to your current circumstances either when you:

• complete a DSP claim
• tell us about changes to your circumstances if you’re currently getting DSP.

You may need to give us proof of your living situation, relationship status or work arrangement details.

When we consider you dependent

We may assess you as dependent if you’re 20 or younger and all the following apply:

• you don’t have a dependent child in your care
• you live at home with your parent or parents
• you don’t meet any independence criteria.

When we consider you independent

We may consider you independent if you meet certain criteria.

Dependent child

We’ll consider you independent if you’re 20 or younger with a dependent child in your care. In this case you’ll get the maximum DSP payment rate for your situation.

We may also assess you as independent if you had a dependent child who’s no longer in your care.

Relationship status

We may assess you as independent if you’re 20 or younger and any of the following apply:

• you are or have been married or are in a registered relationship
• you are or have been a member of a couple for at least one year
• you are or have been a member of a couple for 6 months in exceptional circumstances.

Absence of parental care

We may assess you as independent if you’re 20 or younger and any of the following apply:

• your parents can’t look after you
• you’re a refugee and your parents don’t live in Australia
• you’re an orphan
• you’re in state care, including foster care, or only stopped being in state care because of your age.

Work

We may assess you as independent if you’re 20 or younger and you’ve previously supported yourself through work.

When special conditions apply

We may consider you as eligible for the DSP independent rate under certain special conditions. This may apply if you don’t meet the DSP independence criteria for having a dependent child, relationship status, parental care or work.

Special conditions that apply between 18 and 20

If you’re between 18 and 20, we may assess you as independent if you’re living away from home for any reason.

Special conditions that apply at 16 or 17

If you’re 16 or 17 and living away from home because of your medical condition, we may assess you at the independent rate.

We may also assess you as independent if it’s unreasonable for you to live at home for any of the following reasons:

• family breakdown
• your parents can’t provide a home
• violence
• serious risk to your safety and wellbeing.

One of our social workers will make this assessment.

When your circumstances change

We need to know about changes in your circumstances to make sure we’re paying you the right amount.

It’s important to tell us if your circumstances change as it may affect your previous dependent or independent assessment. For example, you may currently get DSP at the dependent rate and the change in your circumstances may mean you could be eligible for the independent rate.