
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 1 of 15
s22
Cancellation of Disability Support Pension (DSP) 008-03130030
Currently published version valid from 26/11/2024 8:14 PM
Background
s22
This document outlines how to cancel DSP when a customer is no longer qualified or when they
request cancel ation. The Service Officer must make sure that cancel ation is the correct action
to take.
When a customer requests cancellation of their DSP
If the customer requests to cancel their DSP or submits a claim for another payment:
•
Cancel ing DSP can place vulnerable customers at risk
•
Further actions must occur before cancel ing DSP in these circumstances
•
A customer-initiated request to cancel DSP is not a decision under Social Security Law,
therefore once DSP is cancelled:
o the decision wil not be overturned at review,
and
o DSP cannot be restored on request of the customer, unless a Vulnerability
Medical Assessment (VMA) has been completed and indicates they can be
restored. See Restoration of Disability Support Pension
Vulnerability Medical Assessment (VMA)
When a vulnerable customer requests to cancel DSP, Assessment Services wil complete a
VMA. The VMA assesses al the medical evidence on the customer's record and gives a
recommendation to staff about whether DSP should be cancel ed or continued.
The VMA process:
•
prevents vulnerable customers from cancel ing their DSP when their medical condition
impacts their decision-making capacity, and
•
al ows restoration of DSP (within 13 weeks of cancel ation) when the customer is
identified as vulnerable
When DSP may be cancelled
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 2 of 15
• The customer no longer meets the qualification and/or payability provisions for DSP.
Once the record is updated, DSP wil auto cancel. For example, a medical review based
on a JCA determines the customer no longer meets DSP medical eligibility criteria:
o DSP does not cancel immediately as a result of a DSP manual medical review or
Payment Accuracy Reviews if the customer no longer meets impairment and/or
CITW requirements
o It is cancelled after 42 days from the date the JCA is accepted
• DSP was suspended for 2 years because the customer was imprisoned or in psychiatric
confinement in connection with a criminal charge
• DSP was suspended for 2 years because the customer advised within the notification
period a return to work or increase in income which precluded payment, and DSP has
not been restored.
Note: this is an auto cancel ation
• The customer fails to comply with the notification requirement and/or customer
obligations
• The customer's partner fails to take action to obtain a comparable foreign payment
• The customer has been advised that another pension or al owance is deemed more
appropriate. For example, they reach Age Pension age. If a DSP customer reaches Age
Pension age, DSP auto cancels in most cases. Customers in the DSP grandfathered
group who elect to transfer to another payment such as Carer Payment wil lose their
'Grandfathered Status' if they decide to transfer back to DSP
• The customer dies
• The customer starts work of 30 hours or more per week at award wages and fails to
notify within 14 days
When DSP is cancel ed with a return to work reason, DSP is deemed suspended. This means
payment may be restored if the customer ceases work or reduces hours of work to below 30
hours per week within 2 years.
However, if DSP is cancel ed outside the notification period, before the customer notified they
had started work of 30 hours a week or more, payment cannot be suspended or deemed to be
suspended. It must be cancel ed from the day work started.
Effect of PPL on DSP
For children born or entering care:
• from 1 October 2016, Paid Parental Leave (PPL) granted to the customer (and/or their
partner) are treated as ordinary income for calculating the rate of payment for DSP
• prior to 1 October 2016, PPL was not treated as assessable income for DSP
PPL wil not reduce DSP to nil rate. The customer would need to have other income for their rate
to be reduced to nil and cancel. If DSP cancels due to other income, it may be reinstated
depending on the customer’s current circumstances. See Restoration of Disability Support
Pension.
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 3 of 15
Automatic and manual cancellations
Automatic cancel ation wil occur fol owing reassessments when no continuing eligibility
exists. For example, when a change of income or assets takes a customer over the income or
assets threshold. When the income or assets are updated, the system wil :
• calculate if the customer has lost eligibility and
• automatical y cancel DSP due to income or assets
Payments may also be automatical y cancel ed when a customer is no longer eligible. For
example, when a customer fails to return correspondence or provide a tax file number. In these
cases, the system wil set up a manual fol ow up (MFU) activity for action.
If a vulnerable and at risk customer remains without income support payment for a minimum of
six weeks due to an automatic suspension or cancel ation, the customer may be eligible
for manual intervention.
Note: customers overseas permanently are not eligible for this
initiative. Any MFUs generated for customers in this situation should be cancel ed.
Manual cancel ation is where a Service Officer makes a decision to cancel a customer's
payment based on the applicable social security law and codes this as a direct cancel ation.
Automatic cancel ation is the preferred method. Manual cancel ation of records should only
occur when automatic cancel ation by coding a change in circumstances is not available.
Related links
Cancel ation, suspension and rejection codes for Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Commencing or returning to work or self-employment Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Partner commencing or returning to work
Customer ceases work or reduces hours of employment within the two year suspension period
for Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Disability Support Pension (DSP) customer going overseas
Restoration of Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Eligibility for Mobility Al owance (MOB) and rates
Providing services to customers with disabilities
Work Bonus and balance for pensioners of Age Pension age
Transitional rules for pension customers who were on payment at 19 September 2009
Income Test for single pension customers
Income Test for partnered pension customers
Income Test for Disability Support Pension customer who is under 21 years, with no dependent
children and with affecting income at 19 September 2009
Income Test for Disability Support Pension customer who is under 21 years, with no children
Disability Support Pension (DSP) letters and advices
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 4 of 15
Manual review after automatic payment suspension and cancel ation of vulnerable customers
Initiating and actioning a manual medical review for Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Process
This document outlines how to cancel DSP when a customer is no longer qualified or when they
request cancel ation. The Service Officer must make sure that cancel ation is the correct action
to take.
On this page:
Cancel ing DSP
DSP cancel ation and fol ow up action
Cancelling DSP
Table 1
Step
Action
1
DSP cancellation + Read more ...
When DSP is being cancel ed for one of the reasons below, see Table 2 > Step 1:
• The customer no longer meets the qualification and/or payability provisions
for DSP
• DSP was suspended for 2 years because the customer was imprisoned or in
psychiatric confinement in connection with a criminal charge
• DSP was suspended for 2 years because the customer advised within the
notification period a return to work or increase in income which precluded
payment, and DSP has not been restored
• The customer failed to comply with the notification requirement and/or
customer obligations
• The customer's partner failed to take action to obtain a comparable foreign
payment
• The customer has been advised that another pension or al owance is more
appropriate
• The customer starts work of 30 hours or more per week at award wages and
fails to notify within 14 days
Check that the cancellation action is correct
Check the cancel ation reason with the customer. Service Officers
must take care
with customers that request cancel ation of their payment who:
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 5 of 15
• have mental health issues, or
• may not have a confirmed mental health diagnosis but there are concerns.
For example, intel ectual impairment or brain injury
Service Officers can view medical information on the Medical Conditions s47 )
screen on the customer's record.
E(d
Customers in the DSP grandfathered group who elect to claim another payment, for
example, Carer Payment, wil lose their Grandfathered Status if they decide to
reclaim DSP.
If a customer with vulnerable circumstances remains without income support
payment for a minimum of 6 weeks due to an automatic suspension or cancel ation,
they may be eligible for manual intervention.
When a DSP customer/nominee requests cancel ation of DSP or has claimed another
payment that wil result in cancel ation of DSP, consider if this wil place the
customer at risk. For more details on identifying vulnerability and supporting people
experiencing vulnerability, see Identifying customer vulnerability and risk issues.
When a customer experiencing vulnerability requests cancel ation of their DSP,
before any action is taken, they may require a referral to a specialist officer and wil
have to participate in a Vulnerability Medical Assessment (VMA).
Note: not al customers who request cancel ation of their DSP wil be identified as
vulnerable or at risk and require specialist support in making a decision about their
own payment. Customers who do not fit these circumstances may include:
s47E(d)
Do any of the above circumstances exist?
•
Yes, the customer does not need a referral to a specialist /VMA process, and
DSP cancel ation can proceed, see Table 2 > Step 1
•
No, the customer may need a VMA, go to Step 2
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 6 of 15
2
Discuss the request to cancel DSP with the customer + Read more ...
See, Providing services to customers with disabilities.
Discuss the reason for cancel ing DSP with the customer or their nominee. Tel them:
• If the customer claims and is granted another income support payment, it wil
result in the cancel ation of DSP. To reclaim DSP, this wil require lodgement of
a new claim and current medical evidence to re-test eligibility for DSP
• DSP may be restored once cancel ed if they participate in a VMA and the
recommendation is that the customer is vulnerable
Explain to the customer or nominee the fol owing actions
must occur before a
decision is made to cancel DSP in these circumstances, including:
• A case consultation and referral to a specialist officer wil be required - (select
appropriate specialist officer based on the customer's circumstances:
o social worker (SW)
o Indigenous Service Officer (ISO)
o Multicultural Service Officer (MSO)
o Personalised Servies Service Officer (PSSO), or
o other specialist (for example, Community Engagement Officer)
Note: Service Officer may consult with a team leader (if required),
about which specialist officer referral wil be most appropriate
• If appropriate, the specialist officer may refer the customer for a VMA, before
making a decision to cancel DSP. Their DSP cancel ation request may take up
to 28 days for an outcome. Service Officers
must clearly document this
discussion on the customers record.
Does the customer want to continue with cancellation or claim for another
income support payment?
•
Yes, tel them that a specialist officer (SW, ISO, MSO or PSSO) wil contact
them. Record clear details of the discussion on a
DOC on the customer's
record, go to Step 3
•
No, record clear details of the discussion on a
DOC on the customer's record,
no further action required. Procedure ends here
3
Referral to specialised services + Read more ...
See, Providing services to customers with disabilities.
Further actions
must occur before cancel ing DSP when a customer has vulnerable
circumstances.
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 7 of 15
Service Officers
must refer the customer to a suitable specialist to review their
circumstances and determine if DSP cancel ation is appropriate, and/or if they
require a VMA.
Referral to specialised services SWO, ISO, MSO or PSSO
If the customer:
• has a PSSO, email the PSSO with a cc to the Personalised Services
Centrelink mailbox. See the Resources page for the email template to use
• has an ISO (if relevant) or MSO, contact the staff member involved directly.
(See the Resources page for how to find the MSO in Office Locator,
see Multicultural Service Officers (MSO)
• is not connected to a specialist officer, contact a Social Worker (SW). To make
a referral, email social work referrals. See the Resources page for the email
template to use
After completing the referral, use s47E(d)
• Record the fol owing details on the customer's record:
o Customer has requested cancel ation of DSP.
Referred to specialist for possible Vulnerability Medical Assessment
(VMA) before decision regarding DSP can be made. Per OB 008-
03130030.
Go to Step 4.
4
Referral to a Vulnerability Medical Assessment (VMA) + Read more ...
Specialist officers:
• Must review the customers circumstances to determine if cancel ation of DSP
wil put them at risk
• Should look into how the customer is going to support themselves financial y
if DSP is cancel ed that is, how wil they pay for their living costs
• SW, ISSO, MSO or PSSO can refer for a VMA to help with decision-making
• Can make a decision that a VMA is not required if there is clear evidence of
the fol owing:
s47E(d)
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 8 of 15
s47E(d)
SWO, ISO, MSO or PSSO determines VMA is not required + Read more ...
If SWO, ISO, MSO or PSSO determines that VMA is not required:
• Annotate the s47E(d)
DOC with details
• Complete coding, use s47E(d)
. See Table 2
• Record the fol owing details on the customer's record:
o Customer requested cancel ation of DSP.
Specialist has determined DSP can be cancelled OR Vulnerability
Medical Assessment (VMA) has been completed and customer is not
at risk {delete inappropriate}
Please cancel DSP for reason CLR, from date of effect: today.
Per OB 008-030130030
SWO, ISSO, MSO or PSSO determines a VMA is required + Read more ...
If SWO, ISSO, MSO or PSSO determines that a VMA is required, complete the
following:
Specialist officer to make 2 genuine attempts to contact the customer and discuss
the fol owing:
• Referral to a VMA wil need to occur
• If the customer does not agree to participate in a VMA, tel them their DSP
cannot be cancelled
• If the customer agrees to stay on DSP, annotate the s47E(d)
DOC. Procedure ends here
• If unable to contact the customer, or the customer stil wishes to proceed
with DSP cancel ation, tel them a referral to a VMA
must be made
Clearly document these attempts by annotating the s47E(d)
DOC.
Refer for VMA
To refer for a VMA, SW, ISO, MSO or PSSO must:
• Email Forensic Psychology Team and cc in Assessment Services National
Administration Team (ASNAT) Support referring customer for a Vulnerability
Medical Assessment. CC the specialist officer's team leader into al emails
about a VMA
• Document the referral on the customer's record:
SW, ISO, MSO or PSSO has discussed cancel ation request with customer on
DDMMYY and discussed al options. Customer is stil requesting cancel ation
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 9 of 15
of DSP. Referral to Assessment Services for review and further assessment
has been actioned.
Reason: Vulnerable Customer DSP Cancel ation Request
Procedure ends here until VMA has been completed.
When VMA is completed, go to Step 5.
5
Review VMA
Assessment Services wil place a VMA on the customer's record within 7 business
days as a UNS008 on Document Tools. The assessor wil notify the referrer when they
have completed the VMA.
Note: cc the specialist officer's team leader into al emails about a VMA. Assessment
Services wil 'Reply Al ' to ensure the work wil be managed if the specialist officer is
on leave. If the customer contacts when DSP cancel ation CLR request has been
made and the VMA has not yet been completed, contact the specialist officer
handling their case, and request they cal the customer.
Specialist officer reviews the VMA recommendation.
Does the VMA recommend the customer is vulnerable/at risk?
•
Yes:
o the specialist officer (SW/ISO/MSO/PSSO) must contact the customer
and tel them that DSP cannot be cancel ed at this time. Record clear
details of the discussion on a
DOC on their record. Procedure ends
here
o Where the customer is stil requesting cancel ation of DSP, tel them
they wil need to lodge supporting medical evidence to assist in
reviewing their cancel ation request. Record clear details of the
discussion on a
DOC on their record. Go to Step 6
•
No, see Table 2 > Step 1
6
Customer lodges further medical evidence + Read more ...
• If the customer lodges further medical evidence to assist in their cancel ation
request, Service Officers must notify the specialist officer (SW,ISO, MSO or
PSSO). Dependent on the medical information provided this may change the
customer's vulnerability / outcome of the VMA. That is, medical condition has
changed.
• SW, ISO, MSO or PSSO can refer back for another VMA with a record of referral
on a
DOC
• Email Forensic Psychology Team and cc in Assessment Services National
Administration Team (ASNAT) Support referring customer for a Vulnerability
Medical Assessment. CC the specialist officer's team leader into al emails
about a VMA
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 10 of 15
• Document the referral on the customer's record:
o SW, ISO, MSO or PSSO has discussed cancel ation request with
customer on DDMMYYY and discussed al options. Customer has
lodged further supporting medical evidence and is stil requesting
cancel ation of DSP. Referral to Assessment Services for review and
further assessment has been actioned.
Reason: Vulnerable
Customer DSP Cancel ation Request
When the new VMA is completed, go to Step 5.
DSP cancellation and follow up action
Table 2
Step
Action
1
Cancellation reason + Read more ...
• If the customer has advised they have
started or returned to work,
see Commencing or returning to work or self-employment DSP. Procedure
ends here
• If the customer has advised their partner has commenced work or increased
hours of work, see Partner commencing or returning to work
• If the cancel ation is the result of
updating the customer's
circumstances (for example, increased income/assets above the
thresholds, change in relationship status or death of the customer or
partner, go to Step 2
• If the result of a DSP manual medical review or Payment Accuracy Reviews is
that the customer is no longer medical y qualified for DSP, go to Step 3
• If the customer requests to cancel the payment, go to Step 6
• For al
other cancel ations, go to Step 4
2
Record the updated information + Read more ...
If the customer is to be cancel ed due to a change in circumstances, Service Officers
must record the new circumstances as this may affect the customer's eligibility for
other payments for example Mobility Al owance (MOB).
If the DSP customer is receiving the higher rate of MOB and is cancelled due
to
increased hours, they may continue to receive MOB at the higher rate. For more
details, see Eligibility for Mobility Al owance (MOB) and rates.
When a customer with employment income is:
•
under Age Pension age, Working Credit may enable the customer to keep
some of their income support payment while they are working
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 11 of 15
•
over Age Pension age and getting a pension (excluding Parenting Payment
Single), they may be eligible for the Work Bonus.
Note: the Work Bonus is not
used in the customer's transitional rules calculation, but partners may stil
benefit by the reduction in total income
When a customer's income
reduces their fortnightly rate to nil and some is
employment income, if the customer notified:
•
within 14 days, they may be eligible to have their payment suspended
instead of cancelled. See Commencing or returning to work or self-
employment DSP
•
outside 14 days, payment may remain current at nil rate for up to six
fortnights if stil eligible for DSP
DSP wil auto cancel when recording the change of circumstances. The Assessment
Results (
AR) screen shows this.
• An automatic advice should generate. Check this in the s47E(d) field help on
the Benefit Action s47E(d) ) screen, or see if a Manual Fol ow-up (MFU) creates on
the Activity List (s47E(d) screen the next day
• Check if the customer's partner is receiving a payment, and if it should be
cancel ed. If it should cancel but has not auto cancel ed, cancel their
payment using the appropriate cancel ation code
• Record details on a
DOC
Go to Step 7.
3
Record decision not to continue DSP + Read more ...
Record details on a
DOC that the customer is not qualified to continue receiving DSP
as a result of the manual medical review update.
The DSP cancel ation is not to take effect until
42 days after sending the advice to the
customer.
Create a Future Cancel ation Activity on thes47E(d) screen to submit the cancel ation
activity with the correct date.
For DSP manual medical reviews, see Initiating and actioning a manual medical
review for Disability Support Pension (DSP).
4
Is the customer partnered and/or a care receiver? + Read more ...
If the customer is:
• a
care receiver (and carer on Carer Payment), go to Step 5
•
partnered (but not a care receiver), check if their partner gets a payment
which needs to be cancel ed. If so, refer to the relevant procedure
in Cancel ation of payments. Go to Step 6
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 12 of 15
•
not partnered or a care receiver, go to Step 7
5
DSP customer is a care receiver + Read more ...
When a care receiver's payment is cancelled, an Income & Asset Review activity
(CRP/AAP) with review reason
IAR is created on the Future Activity List s47E(d) screen
on their record.
When the IAR review is due, the system issues a Carer Payment - Income and assets
details of the person being cared for (aged 16 years and over) (SA304(A)) form if the
carer receiver is getting an income support payment from Services Australia or the
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).
If the care receiver's DSP is suspended and is likely to remain suspended for a long
time (for example, Suspended RTW), issue the SA304(A) form manual y to the care
receiver.
If the care receiver has a partner or carer receiving Carer Payment (CP), the eligibility
to remain on CP depends on the level of continuing care. The Carers Processing
Service Team should investigate this.
• Use s47E(d)
• Select s47E(d)
Include relevant information in the s47E(d) text.
Advise that the care receiver’s DSP has been suspended or cancelled. CP
qualification wil only continue if the:
•
care receiver stil requires a qualifying level of personal care and/or
supervision, and
•
carer stil provides the equivalent of a working day of personal care over the
24 hour period
6
Customer requests to cancel the payment + Read more ...
Before cancel ing a payment, take care to check if the customer has lost eligibility for
that payment.
If a customer requests cancel ation, a case consultation and referral to a social
worker, ISO, MSO or PSSO or other specialist officer (for example, Community
Engagement Officer) must occur, if the customer has:
• mental health issues
• impaired cognitive capacity, or
• other impairment/vulnerability, and
• cancel ing the payment wil place the customer at risk
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 13 of 15
Check a Vulnerability Medical Assessment (VMA) has been completed that
recommends that DSP can be cancelled before proceeding. See Table 1.
If a customer with a physical medical condition advises their condition has improved
with supporting medical evidence and requests cancel ation of DSP, refer to Level 2
Policy Helpdesk.
Once Level 2 Policy Helpdesk respond, contact the customer with the outcome and
update their record if appropriate.
Record the fol owing details on a
DOC:
• any discussions with the customer about their reasons for cancel ing
payment
• advice or action taken to ensure the customer is not placed at risk
Note: for DSP cancel ation CAN - CLR (Customer Request) action can only be taken
by an APS4 or above. Referral to a Service Support Officer (SSO) is required to code
the Benefit Action s47E(d) screen.
If there is
no indication that the customer is vulnerable and wil not be further
disadvantaged by cancel ation, or a specialist officer has confirmed a VMA is not
required:
• Go to the s47E(d) screen
• Code
'DSP' in the s47E(d)
: field
• Code '
CAN' in the s47E(d) : field
• Code the relevant cancel ation/rejection reason code in the s47E(d) field.
s47E(d)
• Code s47E(d) for voluntary surrender/cancel DSP when requested by customer
• Code date of effect in
Effect Date: field:
o For a voluntary surrender/cancel of DSP, encourage the customer to
give the reason and relevant date (for example, returned to work,
increase in income, re-partnered.) so that a proper date of effect of
cancellation can be determined
o If they do not give any details of why they want DSP cancel ed, code
date paid to (DPT) + 1
• Record details on a
DOC
• Finalise activity through the Assessment Results s47E(d) screen
• Advise the customer of the outcome and that there are no review and appeal
rights
• Check the MFU activity on s47E(
d)
screen the fol owing day to see if the manual
letter needs to be sent. If so, use Q134 or Q999
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 14 of 15
7
Check that the customer and/or partner have not been overpaid + Read more ...
Go to the s47E(d) screen and check for a
STA debt activity.
Note: if a customer has received Crisis Payment
and a change has occurred, a
manual reassessment of Crisis Payment may be required. For more details,
see Reviewing and reassessing Crisis Payment (CrP).
References
Policy
Guide to Social Security Law, 3.6.1.100, continuation Variation or Termination of DSP - 30 Hour
Rule
Legislation
Links to the Federal Register of Legislation site go to a 'Series' page. Select the 'Latest' version.
DSP qualifications
Social Security Act 1991, section 94, continuing inability to work
Manual cancellations
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
• section 80, Cancel ation or suspension determination
• section 81, Cancel ation or suspension for non-compliance with certain notices
Automatic cancellations
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
• section 93, customer complying with subsection 68(2) notice
• section 94, customer not complying with subsection 68(2) notice
• section 95, failure to provide statement under subsection 68(2)
Resources
Contact details
Assessment Services National Administration Team (ASNAT) Support
• ASNAT Support, and
• Forensic Psychology Team
Level 2 Policy Helpdesk
FOI/LEX 83090 - Page 15 of 15
Personalised Services Centrelink
Social workers referrals
Office Locator
Office Locator - find a Multicultural Service Officer (MSO) by:
• searching the service centre in the
Office/Town field
• scrol to the
Teams section
• select specialists, the MSO's name and contact number wil be listed
Email template - Referral to specialised services
This table contains an email template to use when referring a customer to Social Work
Services/Personalised Services for a consideration of a Vulnerability Medical Assessment
(VMA).
Include the following in the subject line and body of the email
Subject heading: Referral to Social Work Services/Personalised Services [delete
inappropriate text] for consideration of Vulnerability Medical Assessment (VMA).
Hi team,
The fol owing customer/nominee has contacted and requested cancel ation of their DSP.
Please consider a VMA for this customer.
Customer Name:
CRN:
Date of contact:
Name of referring officer and
LOGON
Note: additional information, detail the reason for the referral to SWO/PSSO. Include
information obtained from the customer/nominee about their request to cancel DSP. Service
Officers must also provide details about any vulnerable circumstances they have identified.
Training & Support
Add the course number to the s47E(d)field in the s47E(d)
(LMS) in ESSentials:
• s47E(d) - Suspensions, cancel ations & restoration