The household income cut off measures used for this metadata item have been developed in relation to statutory government income support payments.

Code 1. The Low income A:

Income equivalent to or below 100% of the government income support benefits at the pensioner rate. The pensioner (single & couple) benefit rate has been selected as the low income A household cut-off measure, as pension rates are higher than allowance rates (e.g. unemployment benefits). The selection of the higher benefit rate should allow all persons receiving up to or equivalent to 100% government income support benefits (e.g. pensioners, unemployed, youth allowance, etc.) to be captured within the low income A household cut-off measure.

It should be noted that this group might include some income earners, provided their total income is not greater than 100% of the pensioner rate of government income support benefits. This is especially likely for young people who are working, as the government allowance rates for young people are lower than those for pensioners and young people would need to be employed to have an equivalent income.

Code 2. Low income B:

Income above 100% of government income support benefits at the pensioner rate but not greater than the cut-off for receiving this benefit. In practice it is the maximum income level at which you can receive a part pension or (for households with dependent children) more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A.