Examples of limited circumstances

Ron and their 2 dependent children experience a family violence incident while on a 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing.

The incident escalates to a serious incident, and Ron and the dependent children are at risk of current harm.

Ron’s dependent children are 7 years old, and 9 months old. Ron is receiving Child Disability Allowance for their eldest dependent child.

Ron approaches MSD for an Emergency Housing Grant.

Ron is experiencing a crisis situation, is at current risk of harm and has multiple risk factors and meets the limited circumstances criteria to get a 7-night Emergency Housing Grant.

Three step assessment to determine if limited circumstances apply for Ron and his dependent children:

Crisis situation:

• Ron and their dependent children experience a family violence incident while on a 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing. The incident escalates to a serious incident

At risk of current or near-term harm:

• Ron and their dependent children are at risk of experiencing physical or mental injury

Multiple risk factors:

• Ron’s eldest dependent child qualifies for Child Disability Allowance, and
• Ron is the principal caregiver of a dependent child aged 12 months or younger

Cynthia, her partner, and their dependent child entered emergency housing together.

Cynthia is now on a 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing.

While on the 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing, Cynthia, and her family return to MSD to apply for emergency housing.

Cynthia and the dependent child are assessed for an Emergency Housing Grant under limited circumstances and meet the criteria.

She is granted an Emergency Housing Grant for 7 nights.

Cynthia’s partner is not part of the assessment for limited circumstances (as only the circumstances of the client on the 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing and any dependent children are considered).

However, the partner can be included in the emergency housing accommodation under the Emergency Housing Grant granted to Cynthia.

Zayn, his partner (Tom), and their dependent child entered emergency housing together. Zayn is now on a 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing.

While on the 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing, Zayn, and his family return to MSD to apply for emergency housing.

Zayn and their dependent child are assessed for an Emergency Housing Grant under limited circumstances, but do not meet the criteria and are declined an Emergency Housing Grant. 

Zayn’s partner applies for an Emergency Housing Grant in his own right, and includes their dependent child in the application.

Tom qualifies for Emergency Housing in his own right, and enters emergency housing with their dependent child.

Zayn continues on his 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing, and he cannot be included in Tom’s Emergency Housing Grant. If Tom included Zayn in the application, Tom would not qualify for emergency housing.

Callie is on a 13 week non-entitlement period for emergency housing. She has been living in her car.

Callie gets into a serious car accident, suffers a brain injury, and her car is written off.  Callie’s injury meets the definition for restricted work capacity.

Due to her situation, Callie starts experiencing mental health issues. 

Callie is released from hospital and must attend rehab for the brain injury. She was unable to find other accommodation before she had to leave hospital and approaches MSD for an Emergency Housing Grant.

Callie is experiencing a crisis situation, is at current risk of harm and has multiple risk factors and meets the limited circumstances criteria to get a 7-night Emergency Housing Grant.

Three step assessment to determine if limited circumstances apply for Callie:

Crisis situation:

• client suffered a serious medical injury (e.g. car accident)

At risk of current or near-term harm:

• the client is experiencing physical injury (e.g. brain injury that impairs decision making and meets the definition for restricted work capacity or total blindness)
• unable to sleep in car (car written off)

Multiple risk factors:

• brain injury that impairs her decision making and
• due to the accident, the client is experiencing mental health issues