Scenario 1
Ted lives in Wyndham and has just moved on to the Child Protection Scheme of Income Management [CPSIM]. During Ted's interview to move to CPSIM, Ted tells Centrelink he would like to take part in the Matched Savings Payment initiative. Centrelink refers Ted to the money management service in Kununurra, which is his closest operating money management service. Ted rings the money management service and they tell him that the next approved money management course starts in five days. They explain to Ted that the course has three components, the registration, course reading materials and the face-to-face sessions. Ted says he wants to register. The money management service advises Ted that he will be sent details of his course registration date, reading materials and face-to-face session dates and times. Ted completes his course in the 13 week qualifying savings period, saves $500, provides evidence of his savings pattern and his course Certificate of Completion to Centrelink who then determine that he meets all requirements for the Matched Savings Payment and his savings are matched. Ted advises the money management service that he does not feel the need to continue to use their services at this stage, but says he is glad that he knows that the services are there to help if he needs them.
Scenario 2
Sally is on the Child Protection Scheme of Income Management and lives in Balgo. During a visit to Centrelink, Sally tells Centrelink that she is not interested in the Matched Savings Payment initiative and returns home. After talking to other family members who are already taking part, Sally decides she will give it a go. Sally rings her closest money management service in Halls Creek. The service advises Sally that she can access their outreach service at Balgo, but the next course is not available for five weeks. They explain to Sally that the course has three components, the registration, course reading materials and face-to-face sessions. Sally advises that she wants to register. The money management service advises Sally that she will be sent details of her course registration date, reading materials and face-to-face session dates and times. Sally says that she is unsure how to start her savings pattern. The service makes arrangements to meet with Sally on their next outreach visit in three weeks time to help her get started.
Sally completes the course in 13 weeks but has only saved $80 dollars. Sally decides to keep on saving. After six months, Sally has saved $300. Sally provides evidence of her savings pattern and course certificate to Centrelink who determine that she meets all requirements for the Matched Savings Payment and her savings are matched. Sally is continuing to work with the money management service and is in the process of applying for a no interest loan to buy a new fridge. Sally is confident that she can budget to cover the loan repayments.
Scenario 3
Jane is on the Child Protection Scheme of Income Management and lives in Beagle Bay. Jane decides that she wants to take part in the Matched Savings Payment initiative and is referred to her nearest money management service, which provides outreach services to Beagle Bay. Jane calls the service and is advised that the next available course to be delivered in her community is in 10 weeks time. They explain to Jane that the course has three components, the registration, course reading materials and face-to-face sessions. Jane advises that she wants to register. The money management service advises Jane that she will be sent details of her course registration date, reading materials and face-to-face session dates and times. Jane starts her savings pattern while she is waiting for the face-to-face sessions to start. On the day before Jane's first face-to-face session there is a death in her community. The money management service is forced to cancel the session. As the next time the money management service can visit the community to deliver the sessions in Beagle Bay is in four weeks time, they offer for Jane to attend a course in the next closest location, Broome. Jane says that the alternative location does not suit her and that she will wait for four weeks for her face-to-face session. The money management service tells Jane that she will not be able to have her savings amount matched at the end of the 13 week minimum period as she will not yet have completed her approved money management course. Jane says that she is happy with this as she does not expect to reach her savings goal amount of $400 for another three months. Jane continues to use the service during its regular outreach visits.
Scenario 4
Sam is on the Child Protection Scheme of Income Management and lives in Derby. Sam visits Centrelink to find out how to take part in the Matched Savings Payment initiative. Centrelink provides Sam with information about the initiative and refer Sam to his closest operating money management service in Derby. Sam visits the service and they tell him that the next available approved money management course starts in two weeks. They explain to Sam that the course has three components, the registration, course reading materials and face-to-face sessions. Sam advises that he wants to register. The money management service gives Sam a package with details of his course registration date, reading materials and his face-to-face session dates and times. The service also helps Sam to set up an Internet banking account for his savings.
Sam does not turn up to his face-to-face sessions because he has moved to Perth. After five months in Perth, Centrelink refers Sam to an Emergency Relief organisation delivering an approved money management course. Sam registers with the organisation and completes their approved money management course over a five week period. As Sam has already saved $500 he goes straight to Centrelink with his evidence of his savings pattern and course Certificate of Completion so that he can apply to get his Matched Savings Payment. Centrelink determines that Sam has not met all the requirements to receive the payment as he has not completed his minimum 13 week qualifying savings period. Sam thought that he would be able to use his registration date with the money management service in Derby as his commencement date, however as he did not complete all components of the course with them, his registration date with the Emergency Relief organisation in Perth is the actual commencement date for his 13 week qualifying savings period. Sam had to save for a further eight weeks to meet all requirements and then re-apply to Centrelink for his Matched Savings Payment.
These scenarios are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons or organisations is coincidental.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide. The information is accurate as at August 2010. If you use this publication after, please check with FaHCSIA that it is correct.