Our payments affected by compensation
Some Centrelink payments are affected by compensation or similar payments from benefits or schemes.
Your obligation to claim compensation
You must try to claim any compensation you could get. If you don’t, it could affect your Centrelink payments.
Tell us about compensation
If you or your partner claim, get or stop getting compensation or similar payments, you need to tell us.
Preclusion periods for Centrelink compensation recovery
If you get lump sum compensation, you won’t be able to get income support payments for a certain time. It may also affect other payments or cards you get from us.
When you’re in financial hardship for Centrelink compensation recovery
There is help available if you’re in financial hardship during your preclusion period.
How preclusion periods affect a Low Income Health Care Card for Centrelink compensation recovery
You could get a Low Income Health Care Card during your preclusion period.
Repayments due to lump sum compensation
When you get a compensation lump sum, you may need to repay us a charge for your income support payments.
Payments and services it affects for Centrelink compensation recovery
If you or your partner get periodic compensation, it may affect income support payments and services you get from us. It may also affect other payments or cards.
How to update your compensation income
If your periodic compensation payment changes, tell us by calling your normal payment line.
Changes if you get family payments
Sometimes there are changes that may affect you when you get family payments.