Payments
Income and assets
The amount of Special Benefit you get depends on your income and assets and any other support you receive.
Note: If you need short-term support, you cannot get Special Benefit if you have money equal to 2 weeks of Special Benefit payment. If you are paid Special Benefit long-term, you cannot have more than $5,000 in available funds.
The following income and assets tests are effective from 1 January 2012.
Income test
Your income affects the amount of payment you receive.
- Your Special Benefit reduces by $1 for each $1 of income you earn - there is no income-free area.
Assets test
An asset is any property or possession you own either partly or wholly. It includes assets held outside Australia and debts owing to you.
- Refer to assets test for homeowners if you own or are buying your own home
- Refer to assets test for non-homeowners if you rent or board