Other financial assistance available to the client

MSD must assess whether the client can receive other financial assistance before granting a Bond Grant.

This assistance could include any one-off or ongoing payments from MSD. When a client is granted other financial assistance for bond, but it doesn't cover the full amount needed, MSD can consider a Bond Grant for the remaining amount.

A Bond Grant should not be paid for costs already paid for by any other financial assistance.

Some clients may have access to other forms of assistance. They may still be eligible for Housing Support Products but only once they have exhausted all other forms of support first. For example:

• tertiary students staying in university accommodation (e.g. Halls of Residence)
• clients in rest homes and retirement villages
• clients in institutions for the care of sick and disabled people

Make sure the client is aware of all the additional financial assistance available from MSD. This could include Extra Help such as Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support or other Housing Support Products such as Accommodation Costs in Advance Grant or Moving Costs Grant.

Additional assistance may help reduce hardship and prevent the client from needing further assistance for housing related costs.

Example

Saane is a tenant in a property and applies for Rent in Arrears Grant of $400 for two weeks of accommodation costs. They are receiving a reduced rate of Student Allowance of $150 per week due to their parent's income and received a scholarship payment of $750 earlier in the year. They have not accessed their Student Loan Living Costs.

MSD does not grant the payment as the student could speak to their parents for support, or access their scholarship payment to cover their arrears. MSD also advises the student to access their Student Loan Living Costs entitlement so that they can cover their accommodation costs going forward.