Qualified client with a partner in long term residential care
A client who is living in the community and whose partner is in in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital, can get the single sharing accommodation or the single living alone rate of Veteran's Pension.
The rate of payment will depend on if they:
- share their accommodation with any person aged 18 years or older, other than a dependent child or a visitor who stays more than 13 weeks in any 26 week period, or
- meet all the qualifications for the single living alone rate
Partner is in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital at the client's entitlement date
The single sharing accommodation or single living alone rate can be paid from the date the Veteran's Pension commences when the partner is in long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital at the client's entitlement date.
Client is already getting Veteran's Pension when partner enters long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital
The single sharing accommodation or single living alone rate can be paid from the date the partner enters long-term residential care in a rest home or hospital.
Special Disability Allowance
Special Disability Allowance can be paid to the client in the community to help with extra costs due to their partner being in long term residential care and their partner is getting Residential Care Subsidy.
Rate of payment for partner in care
There is no change to the rate of payment for the partner in care, they continue to get the half married, civil union or de facto rate of Veteran's Pension.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Entitlement to veteran's pension for spouses or partners of persons in long-term residential care in hospital or rest home section 173 Veterans' Support Act 2014
- Rates of veteran's pension section 169 Veterans' Support Act 2014
- Rates of veteran's pension section 42 Veterans' Support Regulations 2014
- Special disability allowance: entitlement in special circumstances section 89 Social Security Act 2018
