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Social Security Act 2018

Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefits: non-entitlement period, stand down, or 100% suspension of benefit

230: How non-entitlement period, etc, affects supplementary benefits, and spouse or partner

You could also call this:

"What happens to extra help when you're not getting your main benefit"

If you are not getting a main benefit because of a non-entitlement period, stand down, or suspension, you are not getting some extra help. You are not getting an emergency benefit, accommodation supplement, or temporary additional support. However, if you were already getting an accommodation supplement, you keep getting it at the same rate.

If your spouse or partner is not getting a benefit because of a stand down under section 316, you are also not getting the benefit. This rule applies even if other parts of the law say something different. You can check section 316 to learn more about stand-down periods.

You might also have your main benefit reduced to zero under sections 236, 236A, or 236C, or have your benefit suspended under sections 237, 270, or 280.

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229: Interpretation, or

"Explaining important words about benefit rules"

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231: What this Part does, or

"This part explains the consequences of not following the rules in this act"

Part 4Factors affecting benefits
Factors affecting benefits: Factors affecting benefits: non-entitlement period, stand down, or 100% suspension of benefit

230How non-entitlement period, etc, affects supplementary benefits, and spouse or partner

  1. This section applies while a person is subject to—

  2. a non-entitlement period; or
    1. a stand down under section 316 (start and calculation of stand-down period); or
      1. a reduction of the rate of a main benefit to zero under section 236, 236A, or 236C; or
        1. a sanction of suspension of 100% of a benefit under section 237, 270, or 280.

          1. The person is not entitled to receive—

          2. an emergency benefit; or
            1. an accommodation supplement; or
              1. temporary additional support.

                1. However, an accommodation supplement that an applicant was receiving immediately before the applicant applied for a benefit continues, despite subsections (1)(b) and (2)(b), at the same rate for the period of non-entitlement.

                2. If a person’s spouse or partner is under section 316 (start and calculation of stand-down period) not entitled to a benefit, then (under this subsection, and despite any contrary provision of this Act) the person is also not entitled to the benefit.

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                Notes
                • Section 230(1)(ba): inserted, on , by section 12(1) of the Social Security Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 25).