Rent Assistance (RA) and change of address to and from aged care 065-05050000

From 1 October 1997, care recipients are not entitled to RA if they receive an income support benefit and have entered a residential aged care service. Instead, a Pensioner Supplement subsidy is paid directly to the aged care service.

Respite care fees do not meet the definition of rent under the Social Security Act 1991, (irrespective if it is paid to an approved service or not).

A care recipient may enter an aged care service for respite care. To access respite care the care recipient must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). A person may have up to 63 days approved respite care in a financial year. Additional periods of up to 21 days may be possible if the ACAT considers additional time is needed.

Care recipients who are unable to live with their partner due to ill health may be entitled to a single payment while they are living separately, even during periods of respite care.