Example - partner of a student
A client may be able to get Accommodation Supplement if they are not a student but their partner is a student.
The non-student partner can apply for Accommodation Supplement as a non-beneficiary.
To work out how much Accommodation Supplement to pay the non-student partner MSD will need to:
1. Determine the couple's gross income.
2. Determine the amount of any Student Accommodation Benefit the student partner is receiving.
3. Calculate the rate to pay Accommodation Supplement as a non-beneficiary.
4. Deduct the amount of the Student Accommodation Benefit.
For details on how to process on SWIFTT see:
- Steps to follow in SWIFTT [no link find out why]
When the student does not receive an Accommodation Benefit their partner's application should be processed as a non-beneficiary application.
Example 1
A student with a partner, with 1 child, is getting a Student Allowance and an Accommodation Benefit.
They are paying rent of $375.00 per week and live in Area 3.
Assessment | |
Gross Student Allowance for a student with partner who is not enrolled in more than half a full-time course, with 1 or more supported children, with a combined weekly income of not more than $569.40 (at 1 April 2026) | $820.69 |
less non-beneficiary income threshold (at 1 April 2026) | $1,117.00 |
because this is greater, there is nil income charged | nil |
Calculation | |
Accommodation costs (Rent) | $375.00 |
Less cost of part of property not lived in | $0 |
Less accommodation income | $0 |
$375.00 | |
less non-beneficiary entry threshold (at 1 April 2026) | $205.00 |
$170.00 | |
Multiply $170.00 by 0.70 | $119.00 |
less Student Accommodation Benefit | $60.00 |
$59.00 | |
Accommodation Supplement payable (round up to the nearest whole dollar) | $59.00 |
Example 2
A student with a partner, without supported children, is receiving a Student Allowance and an Accommodation Benefit.
The non-student partner is earning $950.00 (gross) per week. They are paying $350.00 per week rent and live in Area 2.
Gross Student Allowance for a student living in the same house as their partner, without supported children, with a combined weekly income between $569.40 and $1,185.75 (at 1 April 2026) | $221.14 |
Wages gross (non-student partner) | $950.00 |
Total | $1,171.14 |
Assessment | |
Gross income | $1,171.14 |
less non-beneficiary income threshold (at 1 April 2026) | $1,117.00 |
Equals income to be used to reduce payment | $54.14 |
Calculation | |
Accommodation costs (Rent) | $350.00 |
Less cost of part of property not lived in | $0 |
Less accommodation income | $0 |
$350.00 | |
less non-beneficiary entry threshold (at 1 April 2026) | $158.00 |
$192.00 | |
Multiply $192.00 by 0.7 | $134.40 |
less reduction due to income | $13.53 |
$120.87 | |
less Student Accommodation Benefit | $60.00 |
$60.87 | |
Accommodation Supplement payable (round up to the nearest whole dollar) | $61.00 |
