Adams and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

This matter concerned an appeal by Ms Adams against a decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services regarding her eligibility for parenting payment (single). The dispute centred on whether Ms Adams was a member of a couple at the time she lodged her application for the payment on 13 October 2015. The decision was made by Regina Perton, Member, of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was to determine Ms Adams' relationship status on 13 October 2015, specifically whether she was considered a member of a couple for the purposes of the social security legislation governing parenting payment. This determination was crucial in establishing her entitlement to the single rate of payment.

The Tribunal found that Ms Adams was indeed a member of a couple on the relevant date. Applying the relevant legislative provisions and the established legal principles for assessing relationship status, the Tribunal concluded that the evidence supported a finding that Ms Adams was in a relationship akin to a marriage with another person at the time of her application. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, meaning Ms Adams was not entitled to parenting payment (single) as she did not meet the criteria for being a single person.