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Assessment of eligibility : Contents

Lack of cash resources for bond, rent and furniture

A lack of cash resources for bond, rent and furniture can affect a client's ability to access alternative housing.

An assessment of the client's eligibility for Housing Support Product, Advance Payment of Benefit or Recoverable Assistance Payment should be undertaken completed before a rating is given for this criterion.

When assessing a client's eligibility for Housing Support Products, you should consider whether, in the last 52 weeks, the client has received, in the last 52 weeks, more than 2 grants of both of:

  • Bond Grants and/or Accommodation Security Costs Cover Grant and/or
  • Rent in Advance Grants and/or Accommodation Costs in Advance Grants or
  • Rent Arrears Grant and/or Accommodation Costs Arrears Grant or
  • Tenancy Costs Cover. Grant in the last 52 weeks

Advance Payments of Benefit and Recoverable Assistance Payments cannot be used for costs that Housing Support Products cover, except for bond top-ups and moving relocatable homes (e.g. cabins, caravans and mobile homes).

For more information see: 

When assessing the amount of available assistance a client may have to pay for furniture, MSD should:

  • consider the total balance of Advance Payment of Benefit or Recoverable Assistance Payment the client has available and
  • disregard any other debts the client has

Example

Limit of Advance Payment of Benefit, or Recoverable Assistance Payment (for non-beneficiary)
based on Supported Living Payment rate for sole parent

$581.96 net per week x 6 (at 1 April 2026)

$3,491.76

Less Advance Payment of Benefit / Recoverable Assistance Payment debt balance

$950.00

Advance Payment of Benefit / Recoverable Assistance Payment available

$2,541.76

A client can be considered to have a lack of cash resources for bond, rent and furniture if they:

  • do not have any appliances or furniture
  • have a bad credit history and therefore cannot access store credit
  • have a high level of personal debt meaning they do not have any income left after paying debt each week
  • have no money for rent in advance or bond  or
  • have reached their maximum limit for Housing Support Products left to meet their need (for bond or rent) and do not have exceptional circumstances to receive additional payments
  • have no Advance Payment of Benefit or Recoverable Assistance Payment provision left to meet their need (for furniture)

For more information see:

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