3.8.1.10 Qualification for RA
Summary
This topic discusses qualification for RA. It covers:
- qualification criteria
- RA and FTB
- adjusting RA payments when eligibility commences with FTB Part A, and
- RA and blind pensioners.
Qualification (1.1.Q.10) criteria
To qualify for RA, an applicant must meet the criteria listed in Table 1. If more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.
Table 1
| Criterion | More detail |
|---|---|
| ALL of the following | |
| Be qualified for a social security pension, benefit or allowance, and/or be qualified to receive FTB Part A at greater than the base rate, and | See Table 2 for more detail regarding pensions, benefits and allowances. |
| Pays, or is liable to pay, rent (other than Government rent) above the specified rent threshold in order to occupy their principal residence, and | 3.8.1.80 Government rent & RA, 5.1.7.10 RA - current rates, 3.8.1.60 Payments that may be treated as rent |
| Be renting a home in Australia, and | 1.1.A.320 Australia |
not be any of the following:
| 1.1.I.140 Ineligible homeowner, 3.2.6 YA at the away from home rate |
Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security pension', section 23(1)-'social security benefit', section 13(1)-'ineligible homeowner'
FAAct Schedule 1 clause 3 Method of calculating Part A rate (Method 1), Schedule 1 clause 25 Method of calculating Part A rate (Method 2)
Legislation
Qualification for RA is contained in Table 2 and the RA part of the SSAct.
Act reference: SSAct Part 3.7 Rent assistance, section 13 Rent definitions
Table 2
| Pension/allowance (with policy reference- description) | Eligibility for RA | RA rate calculator | Does sharer's measure apply for single recipients? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABSTUDY (3.8.1.104) | Certain ABSTUDY recipients are eligible for RA - refer to the ABSTUDY Policy Manual for information on eligibility criteria | Aged based:
| Yes |
| Age pension (single) (1.2.3.10) | Yes | SSAct section 1070L | Yes |
| Age pension (couple) (1.2.3.10) | Yes | SSAct section 1070L | No |
| Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (1.2.6.20) | No | SSAct section 1061P(1) to (3) | Not applicable |
| Austudy payment (1.2.2.30) | Yes - from 01/01/2008 the Government has extended RA eligibility to Austudy recipients. | SSAct section 1070Q | Yes |
| Carer allowance (1.2.5.50) | No | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Carer payment (1.2.5.20) | Yes | SSAct section 1070L | No |
| Crisis payment (1.2.6.30) | No | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Disaster recovery allowance (1.2.6.40) | No | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Disability support pension (1.2.5.10) | Yes | SSAct section 1070L, section 1070N, section 1070P | No - exempt |
| Double orphan pension (1.2.4.20) | See FTB | FAAct Schedule 1 Part 5 Division 2B | See FTB |
| DSP (blind) | Yes, if income and assets tested (non-blind rate). | SSAct section 1065-A1 | No - exempt |
| Family tax benefit (FA Guide 3.1.4.30) | Only if getting FTB Part A at greater than the base rate. | FAAct Schedule 1 Part 5 Division 2B | Not applicable |
| Incentive allowance (3.6.1.80) | No - if the person or their partner receives IA, RA is not payable. | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Mobility allowance (1.2.5.40) | No | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Jobseeker payment (1.2.1.05) | Yes | SSAct section 1070Q | Yes |
| Parenting payment (partnered) (1.2.4.10) | Yes | SSAct section 1070R FAAct Schedule 1 Part 5 Division 2B | No |
| Parenting payment (single) (1.2.4.10) | Yes | SSAct section 1070M FAAct Schedule 1 Part 5 Division 2B | No |
| Special benefit (1.2.6.10) | Yes | See applicable primary payment | Yes |
| Youth allowance (1.2.1.20) | Yes, if:
| SSAct section 1070Q | Yes |
Act reference: SSAct section 1070L Rate for CPs and certain age and disability support pensions, section 1061P(1) to section 1061P(3) Determinations of rates (AGDRP), section 1070Q Rate for YA, Austudy and JSP, section 1070M Rate for certain PPs, section 1070N Rate for DSP (person aged under 18), section 1070P Rate for DSP (person aged between 18 and 21), section 1065-A1 Method of calculating rate (Age and DSP (blind people)), section 1070R Rate for certain PPs
FAAct Schedule 1 Part 5 Division 2B Rent assistance
RA & FTB
When a person receives a social security payment and FTB Part A, RA is usually paid with FTB Part A. However, in some cases RA may be paid with the recipient's social security payment instead.
Example: An FTB recipient does not take maintenance action, and is paid the base rate of FTB Part A. This recipient is not eligible for RA with FTB. However, RA may be paid with the social security payment.
Adjusting RA payments when eligibility commences with FTB Part A
When a person has received RA with a social security or veteran's entitlement payment for a period and it is later found they are eligible for RA with FTB Part A, the amount of any arrears of FTB Part A are adjusted to account for the amount of RA already paid.
Act reference: FAAct Schedule 1 clause 38J Offsetting for duplicate RA under family assistance and social security law, Schedule 1 clause 38K Offsetting for duplicate RA under family assistance and veteran's entitlements law
Policy reference: FA Guide 3.1.4.30 Rent assistance
RA & blind pensioners
Rates of Age and DSP paid to blind people are not subject to the income or assets test unless the person claims RA. If a blind person wishes to test their eligibility for RA their pension is calculated in accordance with the income and assets tests. The amount payable under the normal income and assets tests with RA is compared to the means test free rate without RA and the higher amount is paid.