Long-term patients

If a client meets all qualifications, they may be able to get a Special Needs Grant if they have lived in a hospital unit or residential home for 6 months or more and are re-establishing themselves in independent accommodation in the community.

Re-establishing themselves in the community does not include former patients moving from one form of established care to another, for example, from a hospital or residential home back to their family or accommodation under supervision of the IHC. The person must be establishing themselves in their own independent accommodation.

Before payment is approved, the client's case worker or hospital social worker must provide an itemised list of the patient's requirements.

Note clients leaving social rehabilitation programmes do not qualify for a re-establishment grant when leaving this type of programme, regardless of the period they were resident with the provider. Re-establishment grants are provided for patients who have been getting medical treatment. Social Rehabilitation does not provide medical treatment.

For more information see:

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, the maximum amount payable is:

• a recoverable grant for accommodation up to $800 and/or
• a non-recoverable grant for beds, bedding, essential appliances, costs of connecting a telephone, electricity or gas, substantial clothing requirements (several sets of clothes) and toiletry items of up to $1,200

More than one grant may be made in a 52-week period, but the maximum cannot exceed $2,000.

For more information see:

• Exceptional circumstances

Note when a client needs help with bond or rent in advance, consider whether the client qualifies for Housing Support Products.

There is a preferred supplier arrangement for fridges, fridge-freezers, freezers and washing machines (collectively known as whiteware). This means clients must purchase their whiteware from a preferred supplier.

If a client refuses to purchase from a preferred supplier, they cannot get a Special Needs Grant for these items.