This procedure applies to Finance and Human Resources (HR) teams involved in the processing of Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS) applications.
This procedure outlines the steps to be followed when an application for LAFHAS is received by the department. This procedure should be read in conjunction with the eligibility criteria as outlined in the LAFHAS Applicant guidelines and other supporting documents.
The LAFHAS supports eligible Queensland families whose children need to live away from home to attend a state school or an accredited non-state school. This may be due to geographical isolation and/or the nearest school is a bypass school.
Eligibility for LAFHAS assistance is based on the distance from students' homes to the nearest Queensland Government state school facility with the required year level.
Applicants must apply for LAFHAS annually. Successful applicants receive benefits in two instalments aligned with school semesters. Students can attract a combination of allowances depending on their individual circumstances, which include:-
The closing date for receipt of application forms is 31 December each year. Applications received after this date are not eligible for any entitlement. No retrospective payment is made for previous years.
Students who are eligible for assistance under the LAFHAS may also be eligible for the Australian Government Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme.
Applicant applies for financial assistance prior to 31 December each year on the LAFHAS Annual Application Form via one of the following ways:
The application form must be received by the Department of Education no later than 31 December for the year of application.
Should an overpayment be found, SFR will undertake recovery action. In instances where a misinterpretation by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) or departmental officers has occurred, an overpayment is recognised from when the misinterpretation has been identified and corrected.
Term
Definition
Additional special circumstances
For the purpose of the LAFHAS, additional special circumstances refers to applicants who do not fully meet residential distance criteria, but who could still be regarded as geographically isolated because of special circumstances and wish to apply under medical or other mitigating circumstances.
Appeal process
If an applicant disagrees with a decision about a claim for the LAFHAS or recovery of a LAFHAS overpayment, the applicant may request a review by completing and submitting a LAFHAS Appeal form.
Bypass schools
A Bypass school is a Queensland state school which meets a set of conditions that enable it to be disregarded when distance criteria are considered for applications for financial support under the Queensland Government's LAFHAS.
Impassable roads
An impassable road for the purposes of the LAFHAS is where due to adverse weather conditions, daily access to school is denied for a significant portion of the school year.
Itinerant occupation
An itinerant occupation for the purposes of the LAFHAS is an occupation that is not located in the one specific location but where the nature of the type of work cannot be regarded as static. A home base is required to be identified.
Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
Support for families in geographical isolated areas to access financial assistance to study away from home.
Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme Review Panel
A review panel that considers applications with special circumstances which do not meet regular LAFHAS eligibility criteria or to hear appeals about departmental decisions on LAFHAS matters.
The review panel comprises:
SAP ERP
Systems, Applications and Product, Enterprise Resource Planning
Special circumstances
For the purpose of the LAFHAS, special circumstances refers to applicants who do not fully meet residential distance criteria, but who could still be regarded as geographically isolated because of special circumstances and wish to be considered for the LAFHAS due to Impassable Roads or Itinerant Occupation.
Previous seven years shown. Minor version updates not included.
2.0 FNM-PR-001: Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme
3.0 FNM-PR-001: Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
4.0 Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme (LAFHAS)
5.0 Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
For further information, please contact: Transformation TeamOrganisational Transformation and CapabilityHuman Resources Phone: (07) 3055 2927Email: LAFHAS@qed.qld.gov.au
Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education Policy and Procedure Register to ensure you have the most current version of this document.
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