Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) customer eligibility for Rental Assistance Allowance 005-06010010

RAA may be payable to customers receiving SRSS Living Allowance Band 4, 5 and 6, where an SRSS customer is paying for private accommodation.

The Department of Home Affairs will advise Services Australia of the Housing Type via the data link. This will be displayed in the Housing Type assignment block on the SRSS Information screen.

Customers with the following housing types are not eligible for RAA:

• Service Provider leased accommodation (either short-term accommodation provided by the service provider or emergency accommodation) and paying a Temporary Accommodation Contribution
• Community Link (a member of their family or a friend who is authorised by the Department of Home Affairs)

To code housing modifications, go to Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) payment Band and Housing changes.

The customer's relationship status and accommodation arrangements may also affect their Rental Assistance Allowance (RAA) rate. Single customers classified as a sharer will be entitled to a lower maximum rate of RAA.

If an SRSS customer resides with a Community Link (a member of their family or a friend who is authorised by the Department of Home Affairs), RAA is payable based on the amount they pay to the Community Link for their accommodation.

For partnered customers with:

• dependent children, the primary parent will be paid the partnered rate of Rental Assistance Allowance
• no children, each parent will receive half of the partnered rate of RAA

If verification is not provided, RAA will cancel 28 days after the date of event.

Note: if an SRSS customer becomes partnered with a person who is receiving an income support payment and/or family assistance payment and the person is in receipt of Rent Assistance (RA), Rental Assistance Allowance will not be payable. In these circumstances, the income support and/or family assistance recipient will receive RA on behalf of the couple.

RAA is not payable in the following circumstances:

• if the Department of Home Affairs advises RAA is not payable due to an alternative accommodation arrangement
• Service Provider leased, temporary or emergency housing
• SRSS customer is:
• receiving free board and/or lodging
• living in a government housing authority home or Australian Government funded nursing home or hostel
• paying a mortgage on their accommodation, including Rent to buy schemes, or
• under the age of 25, with no dependents and living in the principal home of a parent

Staff must manually issue a Rent Certificate (SU523HD), unless the customer meets the exemption rules for RAA verification.

For any changes in rent details, customers must provide documentary evidence such as a current:

• lease
• tenancy agreement, or
• rent certificate

If the customer is unable to provide a lease, rent certificate or tenancy agreement, they can submit a rent declaration which includes:

• details of the property
• their living arrangements (that is, sharers and their relationship)
• their portion of the total rent paid, and
• the name of the person to whom the rent is paid

If verification is not provided, RAA will cancel on day 28. If the customer contacts within 13 weeks of RAA being cancelled, arrears of RAA should not be paid.

For any positive adjustments to the amount of rent paid, if the SRSS customer advises:

• within 14 days, key the date of the change as the date of event
• after 14 days, key the date of notification as the date of event

For any negative adjustments to the amount of rent paid, the date of the change will remain the date of event in all cases.

Verification must be provided for all other customer's rent details:

• at the initial claim interview
• when they become eligible for RAA, or
• when they have a change in rent arrangements

If a customer is currently receiving RAA and advising a change to rent liability, they may be exempt from rent verification if the change:

• is reasonable
• results in RAA arrears of less than $100
• is the first or second time the customer has changed their rent liability in 12 months without supplying verification, and
• their address has not changed