3.8.6.20 Qualification for EdEP - WidB, pension PP (single), DSP, CP & SpB

Summary

This topic explains qualification criteria for EdEP for WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP and SpB customers, as well as the following related issues:

• separate claim form is not required,
• early claim,
• late claim,
• qualification when customer is overseas,
• incorrect EdEP payment, and
• legislative references.

Qualification criteria for NSA, PA, MAA, WP, WA and benefit PPP customers are discussed in 3.8.6.10.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.6.10 Qualification for EdEP - NSA, YA (job seeker), PA, MAA, WP, WA & benefit PPP

Qualification (1.1.Q.10) criteria

To qualify for EdEP, a WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP or SpB customer must meet the criteria listed in the following table. Where more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.

Act reference: SSAct Part 2.13A Education Entry Payment

Policy reference: SS Guide 5.1.7.50 EdEP - Current Rates

PES verifications

Receipt of PES should be verified before payment of an EdEP.

Separate claim form is not required

A separate claim form is not required because verification of receipt of PES is taken to be a claim for EdEP. For WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP or SpB, once PES is payable, an EdEP should be paid automatically by the system. Other PES recipients, WA and WP with a DSP partner, are subject to different EdEP rules (3.8.6.10) but they can also be paid an EdEP automatically once PES is payable, as long as they meet the EdEP eligibility criteria applying to those payments.

Early claim

Although a formal claim for an EdEP is not required, if a WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP or SpB customer lodges an early claim for EdEP, they can only be paid EdEP during the calendar year in which they qualify for PES.

Example: A customer intends to start studying in January 2001 and lodges an EdEP claim in December 2000. If the customer qualifies, then their EdEP payment is delayed until January 2001.

Late claim

A customer can claim EdEP AFTER they have started the course if they:

• are receiving PES, AND
• are receiving one of the following qualifying payments:
  • widow B pension, OR
  • pension PPS, OR
  • disability support pension, OR
  • carer payment, OR
  • special benefit, AND
• have not already been paid an EdEP in the same calendar year.

Policy reference: SS Guide 8.1.1 Claim Lodgement Provisions

Qualification when overseas

A WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP or SpB customer who is overseas qualifies for EdEP IF they:

• were overseas when they qualified for PES, OR
• are a tertiary student AND the overseas course forms part of a degree.

Example: A customer is required to complete one semester of an Asian Studies degree overseas. The customer qualifies for EdEP because the study is part of the course.

Incorrect EdEP payment

If a WidB, pension PPS, DSP, CP or SpB customer receives an EdEP when they are NOT qualified, the payment is considered a recoverable debt.

Example: A customer receives EdEP BUT they are not eligible for PES.

Act reference: SSAct section 1224B Education entry payment debt

Policy reference: SS Guide 6.3.8.30 EEP, EdEP & TAL Overpayments

Legislation

The following table lists the references for qualification and need for a claim for EdEP.

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Last reviewed: 6 March 2006