Example - non-beneficiary with partner in the community
A couple living in Area 1, have no dependent children and own their own home.
Both the client and partner were working before the client entered the treatment programme, and the partner continues to work.
Note the benefit rates used in this example are as at 1 April 2026.
Step 1
A. Calculate in weekly amounts the client's essential ongoing costs in the community.
Essential ongoing costs | Weekly amount |
Accommodation costs (mortgage, rates, insurance) | $480.00 |
Hire purchase for fridge | $58.00 |
Car repayments | $105.00 |
Total essential ongoing costs | $643.00 |
B. Calculate in weekly amounts any new costs incurred as a result of the client's entry into the programme.
New cost | Weekly amount |
None in this example | |
Total |
Step 2
Calculate the couple's combined net income prior to the client's entry into the programme.
Couple's income prior | Weekly net amount |
Client's wages | $550.00 |
Partner's wages | $450.00 |
Total net income prior | $1,000 |
Step 3
Calculate the couple's net income now. Note the client's income has stopped while he is in the treatment programme.
Couple's income now | Weekly net amount |
Wages (partner in the community) | $450.00 |
Accommodation Supplement, assessed as a single client (maximum amount payable in Area 1) | $165.00 |
Temporary Additional Support, assess as a single client (as at 1 April 2026) | $111.76 |
Sub total | $726.76 |
Less an amount equivalent to Personal Allowance (as at 1 April 2026) and any amount required to pay towards the cost of client's care | $85.02 |
Total net income now | $641.74 |
Step 4
Calculate the difference between the couple's combined net income prior to the client's entry into the programme (Step 2) and their net income now (Step 3).
Couple's net income prior to the client's entry into the programme | $1,000.00 |
Couple's net income now | $641.74 |
Difference | $358.26 |
Step 5
Calculate the difference between the client's essential ongoing costs (Step 1A) and any assistance being received for those costs (Step 3).
Essential ongoing costs (Step 1A) | $643.00 |
Less assistance received for these costs (Step 3) | $276.76 |
Equals amount not being met | $366.24 |
Step 6
Calculate the rate of Community Costs to pay.
Compare the amount of costs not being met by any assistance received (Step 5) to the difference in income (Step 4) and pay the lesser of these.
Amount of costs not being met by assistance (Step 5) | $366.24 |
Difference in income (Step 4) | $358.26 |
In this example you can pay the maximum $300.00 Community Costs.
Note if the client had incurred any new costs as a result of entering the programme (Step 1B) you would pay an additional amount to meet the new costs.
Remember, if you decide to pay more than the $300.00 maximum, you will need manager client service delivery approval.
