Number of accounts closed - Cashless Debit Card and Basics Card since 2007.

The request was refused by Department of Social Services.

Dear Department of Social Services,

I am seeking all communications, data and documents related to the number of compulsory income managed accounts that have been closed by the Department of Social Services or its branches and agencies - or by Services Australia since 2007.

This request is inclusive of ministerial, administrative and any other branch documents and data and specifically relates to the total number of Basics Card accounts and Cashless Debit Card accounts that have been closed in the time period January 2007 to October 2021.

Regarding the Cashless Debit Card I am also seeking the _total_ number of successful Well Being and EXIT applications from Feburary 2015 to October 2021inclusive.

These requests are being made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Yours faithfully,

Amanda Smith

FOI, Department of Social Services

Thank you for your email.

 

You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).

 

If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.

 

Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...

 

This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address].  Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.

 

With regards

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Freedom of Information

Government and Executive Services

Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]

 

The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.

We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.

 

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]

FOI, Department of Social Services

Dear Ms Smith,

 

I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 2 November 2021, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:

 

“…all  communications, data and documents related to the number of
compulsory income managed accounts that have been closed by the Department
of Social Services or its branches and agencies - or by Services Australia
since 2007.

 

This request is inclusive of  ministerial, administrative and any other
branch documents and data and specifically relates to the total number of
Basics Card accounts and Cashless Debit Card accounts that have been
closed in the time period January 2007 to October 2021.

 

Regarding the Cashless Debit Card I am also seeking the _total_ number of
successful Well Being and EXIT applications from Feburary 2015 to October
2021inclusive…”

 

Decision due

The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.

 

In accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection 15(5) of the FOI Act, a
decision on your request is currently due on 2 December 2021.

 

When the processing period may be extended or suspended

The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.  

Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.

You will be notified as soon as possible if a charge is associated with
processing your request.

 

The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request. 

 

Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].

 

Yours sincerely,

DSS FOI Team

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Freedom of Information

Cabinet and FOI

Government and Executive Services

Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]

 

The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.

We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present. 

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]

FOI, Department of Social Services

3 Attachments

Dear Ms Smith,

 

The Department has finalised your Freedom of Information request FOI
2122-043.

 

Please find attached:

-          Decision letter

-          Attachment A: Review Rights

-          Attachment B: Relevant provisions from FOI Act

 

Yours sincerely,

DSS FOI Team

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Freedom of Information

Cabinet and FOI

Government and Executive Services

Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]

 

The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.

We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]