Guidelines for paying a higher rate
Payment can be increased above the hospital rate to a rate that (together with the client's other income) will be sufficient to meet the client's continuing commitments.
Use the following guidelines to assess whether the client's rate should be higher.
1. Have the client complete an Increased payment while you are in hospital form.
2. Accept stated expenses where they appear reasonable, but ask for proof if there is doubt.
3. If the client is a sole parent and has childcare costs:
- include the child care costs when assessing whether a higher rate should be paid
- include family tax credit and Best Start tax credit payments as income (as these payments will continue)
4. If a client is married, in a civil union or de facto relationship, do not include home outgoings or accommodation expenses. These are the responsibility of the partner not in hospital. (The partner may qualify for Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support.)
5. Check that all possible action has been taken to reduce expenses. For example, giving up the lease on a flat where the hospital stay is indefinite.
6. If the increase in payment request is for one-off items such as clothing, you can pay the increase by:
- a backdated review of the benefit rate to create a lump sum payment or
- increasing the benefit rate for a limited time
Example
Continuing commitments per week | $55.00 |
less other weekly income (bank interest) | $5.00 |
rate of increase | $50.00 |
plus hospital rate (net, at 1 April 2026) | $58.34 |
rate of benefit payable | $108.34 |
Add the rate payable as a non-standard rate on the SNSRA screen.
A parent benefit reassessment SPBR may also be required.
