What you need to know

If you don’t already get a payment from us

You can claim an income support payment if there’s a delay with your compensation claim.

When you claim a payment you must tell us if any of these apply:

• the compensation payer has paid you
• you’re in the process of claiming
• you plan to make a compensation claim.

If you get a payment from us

If you or your partner already get a payment from us, you must tell us within either:

• 7 days if you or your partner get any compensation payments
• 14 days if your weekly compensation rate changes.

If your circumstances change

If there are exceptional changes to your circumstances, we may be able to reassess your Centrelink entitlement. For us to reassess your entitlement you need to ask for a review.

You’ll need to give us evidence that your situation both:

• is unusual, uncommon or exceptional
• makes the application of the lump sum preclusion period unduly harsh or unfair.

We’ll assess whether you meet our special circumstances criteria based on your situation. If you do, we may be able to reduce your preclusion period.

Next: How compensation affects your payment

If you or your partner get compensation, it may change how much we pay you.