On leave for more than 28 days

Where a client who is getting the hospital rate is on leave from hospital for more than 28 days:

• increase their benefit to the appropriate full rate from the date of discharge on leave
• for married, civil union or de facto clients reduce the partner's benefit to the half married, civil union or de facto rate and suspend Special Disability Allowance and
• review any Extra Help

On re-admission to hospital continue to pay the full rate of benefit and any Extra help for a further 13 weeks of hospitalisation.

Note calculation of the 13 week period in hospital begins again after the client has been re-admitted when on leave for more than 28 days.

The dates of admission and discharge are not regarded as days spent in hospital.