We are interested in how other pensioners 'on the move' claim Rent Assistance. We were made aware of being able to claim rental assistance through Centrelink as pensioners who do not own a home.
Interestingly, the literal instructions from Centrelink state "whilst you are travelling, you must notify Centrelink of your new accommodation details on the day you change address and/or start to pay a different amount of rent. Arrears of Rent Assistance can only be paid from the date you notify Centrelink."
We have been on the road for the past few months and have been claiming rent assistance for stops in van park stays of 3 days or more. Our only advice to Centrelink has been lodgement of the Rental Assistance form. Given the literal instructions/advice from Centrelink we are a little confused.
We are interested in others experiences.
Cheers
Julie & John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Hi, We are claiming rent assistance and can be paid a maximum of $105 / fortnight. You need to notify C/Link every time you change your address i.e. Caravan park - even if 1 night. You can do this 1 of 3 ways. 1) Notify C/Link directly at an office or agancy - this option is the least proffurred as it is not always convenient. 2) a) You can go in to a C/Link office and ask them to help you with a "Online Login" They are very helpful and will willingly do this for you. b) If you have a computer,with internet access, you can register for a ' online login" Go to the C/Link website and look for "registration for login" and click. You will be asked to identify yourself with Client No. / DOB / Bank account details where your payment is made, Spouse Ref No. etc. Next you will be asked for a password and then a series of 5 questions. You set up a question and answer from the options offered (first 3 questions) The last two questions you will be asked to set up. I find this the best option as once you have a login, you can view all your details, payments, superannualion schedules change personal details (address) etc. etc. 3) You can register for a phone account. This is very tedious and frustrating and can be expensive on a bobile as it takes a while to go thru' the process. ONE THING WE FOUND IS THAT EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS, THE C/LINK SYSTEM GENERATES A NEW CONCESSION CARD AND LETTER WITH YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS (VAN PARK) AND WILL BE POSTED TO YOU MAILING ADDRESS. To stop this - do the 2)a) option and ask the staff to put a hold on your card and register you for "travelling Australia". You can also ask them for online letters and notifications. This way - all correspondence can be viewed online when you login. You need to complete a form and change your details online every time you change address Van Park) or you will not be paid. I fill out one form and photocopy it and just enter the new van park details. This may seem a little daunting at first and the change of personal details can take a few minutes, but once you have done it 2-3 times it is easy. Hope this helps. Cheers Doug P.S. I send my forms in fotrnightly all together. DO NOT FORGET TO PUT YOUR NAME AND REF No. ON THE FORM. You spouse details should be linked and will be updated auto. when one of you changes details
-- Edited by DKay on Tuesday 20th of July 2010 01:47:42 PM
-- Edited by DKay on Tuesday 20th of July 2010 01:48:16 PM
I happened to be having my 1st visit to Centrelink yesterday and remembering this post I said what DKay had posted as it seemed difficult....but it's exactly what you have to do.
So a well answered post by DKay
Good to see a financial person at Centrelink earlier as they are very helpful, a bit different to what I was expecting.
-- Edited by countryroad on Friday 23rd of July 2010 04:56:26 PM
no, but you could rent your house out as my brother and s i l did and that was their only income and they got some pension as they can't access their super.....not 65 yet
Yesterday I was told about a homeless elderly couple ( True Nomads) who were living in their car and could NOT claim the aged pension let alone rent assistance, because they did not have a fixed address. How do others get around this when on the road camping where ever they can? Any advice I could pass on to this couple? I could not find any info on the CentreLink site that might help.
How sad your heart go out to them .when i worked in roadhouse we have people come in to use the bathroom .. we would give them food coffee ect .it sad to think in such a country as we live there are people who have nothing ... and cant get money from centerlink but people who CHOOSE to sit on there butt and not work get it
Gday... Our question re Rent Assistance has certainly stirred up some discussion (especially on another forum). But in regard to the "homeless couple" you mention - all they need to do is nominate a 'fixed address' for contact - it could be one of the children for instance - and that will comply while they permanently travel. We have nominaged a sister - for car, van, centrelink .... everyone. Cheers
Julie & John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
- all they need to do is nominate a 'fixed address' for contact -
Thanks for information I may do this myself.
Do you know if the couple can nominate a non-relative. I just received information about a couple who put their home in to the name of their daughter and son- inlaw for tax purposes. The daughter and son-inlaw sold the house and moved to England leaving the elderly couple homeless. I don't know if it is the same homeless couple, but it would be good to know if anyone can provide a safe address for elderly people in these types of cirumstances.
hi Country road , if you are fully retired , you can access your superannuation from 55 yrs of age , just get sister / B-I-Law to get in touch with who their super is with .... i had to produce a letter and show I.D , I got mine at 57 when i retired . Also if you stop working full time to go to part time work , you can access your super and be paid out of your super fund to make up the difference from your fulltime wage , the govt bought that in several years ago , hope this makes sense ... cheers Denny
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we are currently in beautiful downtown Sarina Qld , will be exploring here for 2 weeks before heading off down south
I confuse the system, even at election time. My postal address is in SA, my residential address is Cairns at the moment, my car and van are registered in WA, and I'm still on the WA electrol roll. I've been on Disabilty for more than 6 years, on the road since 2007. It's not hard to confuse Centrelink. Just be honest, and it really messes them up.
If the people living in their car couldn't get help they must be a reason. They may have too much money somewhere, and may be too tight to spend it. There are always reasons for these things. Even Centrelink could have given them help with the fixed address issue if there was a way around it, if they qualified.
Just like life, things are not always as they seem.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
