Permanently and severely incapacitated to work

Clients receiving Supported Living Payment as they are permanently and severely incapacitated to work can have their benefit continue at the full rate for the first 13 weeks.

The rate of payment will need to be reduced to the hospital rate after the client has been in hospital for more than 13 weeks (not after receiving a benefit for 13 weeks).

If a partner has work obligations is hospitalised, exempt the partner from their work obligations by adding the 'sick/injured/disabled - partners - partial' exemption code (402) on the SWTDA screen in SWIFTT. You will also need to add an expiry date.

Married, civil union or de facto couples with a dependent child do not have their benefit payment reduced regardless of how long they are in hospital.

Note if a client (or partner) is getting Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit for a child in their care, this child is regarded as a dependent child.

The hospital rate payment allows for the cost of personal items, which patients are expected to provide for themselves. The net weekly hospital rate is $58.34 net as at 1 April 2026.

You can pay an amount above the hospital rate where there are financial circumstances to warrant paying at a higher rate.

Note you cannot pay an amount less than the hospital rate.

For more information see:

• Date payment should be reduced
• Income
• Sole parents
• Effect on Extra Help
• Payment to partners
• On leave from hospital
• Discharge from hospital
• Child admitted to hospital
• Private hospital and homes