Introduction to Main benefits
To be eligible to receive a main benefit, clients must:
- meet an income and asset test
- meet the eligibility criteria for that benefit.
The level of income below which a main benefit can be provided depends on the type of benefit applied for and the circumstances of the client. A main benefit may also be work tested.
Information on eligibility for particular main benefits is included with the information for each one.
You should also see information on:
Main benefits comprise:
- Unemployment Benefits, Unemployment Benefits - Hardship, Unemployment Benefits - Training, Unemployment Benefits - Hardship - Training, Unemployment Benefits - Student Hardship, and Independent Youth Benefits
- Domestic Purposes Benefits - Sole Parent, Domestic Purposes Benefits - Care of Sick or Infirm, Domestic Purposes Benefits - Women Alone, and Emergency Maintenance Allowances
- Sickness Benefits and Sickness Benefits - Hardship
- Invalid's Benefits
- Widow's Benefits
- Emergency Benefits
Transitional Retirement Benefits were also main benefits until the phasing-out of this benefit was completed on 1 April 2004.
