Section 1129 — Social Security Act 1991: Access to financial hardship rules—pensions

(1) If: (a) either: (i) a social security pension is not payable to a person because of the application of an assets test; or (ii) a person’s social security pension rate is determined by the application of an assets test; and (b) either: (i) sections 1108 and 1109 (disposal of income) and 1124A, 1125, 1125A, 1126, 1126AA, 1126AB, 1126AC, 1126AD and 1126E (so far as section 1126E relates to sections 1126AA, 1126AB, 1126AC and 1126AD) (disposal of assets) do not apply to the person; or (ii) the Secretary determines that the application of those sections to the person should, for the purposes of this section, be disregarded; and (c) the person, or the person’s partner, has an unrealisable asset; and (d) the person lodges with the Department, in a form approved by the Secretary, a request that this section apply to the person; and (e) the Secretary is satisfied that the person would suffer severe financial hardship if this section did not apply to the person; the Secretary must determine that this section applies to the person. Note 1: For social security pension see subsection 23(1). Note 2: For unrealisable asset see subsections 11(12) and (13). (1A) In subsection (1): social security pension does not include a pension PP (single). Note: Financial hardship rules for pension PP (single) are contained in sections 1130B and 1130C. (2) A decision under subsection (1) takes effect: (a) on the day on which the request under paragraph (1)(d) was lodged with the Department; or (b) if the Secretary so decides in the special circumstances of the case—on a day not more than 6 months before the day referred to in paragraph (a).