Effect on Extra Help
Extra help can continue to be paid to the client for the first 13 weeks that they are in hospital. When the client's benefit is reduced to the hospital rate, any Extra help they receive will need to be reviewed.
Accommodation Supplement
For a single client stop the Accommodation Supplement from the beginning of the 14th week of hospitalisation. Check whether the client still has to meet their continuing accommodation costs. If so, increase the benefit rate above the hospital rate to meet the costs.
For a married, civil union or de facto client (without dependent children) you still treat the couple as married, in a civil union or de facto relationship and take into account the income and assets of both. You can pay the full Accommodation Supplement to the partner not in hospital.
For more information see:
Special Benefit
For a single client stop the Special Benefit from the beginning of the 14th week of hospitalisation. Check whether the client still has to meet their continuing costs. If so, increase the benefit rate above the hospital rate to meet the costs.
For a married, civil union or de facto couple Special Benefit must be stopped from the beginning of the 14th week of hospitalisation for the client who is in hospital. From the same date you will need to review Special Benefit and pay the full amount to the partner not in hospital.
Generally no additional costs associated with the hospitalisation should be added to Special Benefit for a married, civil union or de facto client. However you will need to have regard to their individual circumstances taking into consideration that the partner not in hospital is increased to the single rate of payment and can receive Special Disability Allowance to cover any extra costs.
Temporary Additional Support
For a single client stop Temporary Additional Support from the beginning of the 14th week of hospitalisation. Check whether the client still has to meet their continuing costs. If so, increase the benefit rate above the hospital rate to meet the costs.
For a married, civil union or de facto couple Temporary Additional Support must be stopped from the beginning of the 14th week of hospitalisation for the client who is in hospital. From the same date you will need to review Temporary Additional Support and pay the full amount to the partner not in hospital.
No additional costs associated with the hospitalisation should be added to Temporary Additional Support for a married, civil union or de facto client. However you will need to have regard to their individual circumstances taking into consideration that the partner not in hospital is increased to the single rate of payment and can receive Special Disability Allowance to cover any extra costs.
Disability Allowance
Cancel the client's Disability Allowance from the date the benefit is reduced to the hospital rate. All costs associated with the client's disability are the responsibility of the hospital.
Family tax credit and Best Start tax credit
As long as the child continues to be a dependent child, family tax credit and best start payments continue to be paid regardless of how long the client is in hospital. Best Start tax credit will stop from the child’s third birthday.
Winter Energy Payment
For a single client who is getting the Winter Energy Payment and who has had their main benefit reduced to the hospital rate, they can only get the Winter Energy Payment if they still require assistance with their energy costs.
Where a partner is in hospital (no dependent children) the client who is still living in the community can receive the full couple rate of the Winter Energy Payment.
For more information see:
