Families eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus should check that Centrelink has up-to-date study details for their children by 31 December 2014.
Department of Human Services spokesperson, Scott Anderson, said families need to tell Centrelink if their child is starting or completing primary or secondary study by 31 December to make sure they receive the right payment amount in January 2015.
“You can log in to my.gov.au and use your Centrelink online account to check your child’s details and update them if needed,” Mr Anderson said.
“All you need is your Customer Reference Number and an internet connection to complete this important task.
“If your child’s study details are correct you do not need to do anything. Eligible families who receive fortnightly payments and have up to date study details recorded for their children will be paid the Schoolkids Bonus automatically between 5 and 19 January 2015.
“Payments won’t show in your online account until the day it is paid so there’s no need to contact us until after 20 January if you have any questions.
Mr Anderson said families should also be aware that a new income test will be applied to Schoolkids Bonus from 1 January 2015.
“From next year, only recipients with an adjusted taxable income of $100,000 or less will remain eligible for Schoolkids Bonus. If your income is over this threshold you are not eligible to receive the January 2015 instalment.
“Schoolkids Bonus recipients do not need to contact Centrelink to report their income because this information is already recorded for Family Tax Benefit purposes.”
Mr Anderson said some students aged up to 19 years old in 2015, and who receive a Centrelink payment, may also be eligible for Schoolkids Bonus in their own right and should also update their study details by 31 December.
“A Schoolkids Bonus School Leaver Payment may also be paid to students, or their families, if they are finishing Year 12 or equivalent so it’s important Centrelink has this information,” Mr Anderson said.
For more information visit humanservices.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus