I've not tested it myself but a friend asked Centrelink for the full story and was told that yes, this is what they will do. Minimum stay to qualify for rent assistance is two weeks, and it will trigger the production of a new card for the new address.

Concerning the accumulation of new cards from Centrelink - we had the same problem, being full-timers with no fixed address, but when in WA (I think early last year at Geraldton) we happened across a Centrelink officer who wouldn't accept that the cards couldn't be stopped. She spent several minutes on the computer, then found the place; I received no more cards at all, even after mine expired, and eventually had to ask for a new issue!

But the rent assistance when on a pension is certainly worth it, although now that we're house-sitting most of the time I've cancelled that until we need it again.

Andrea

(Currently at The Channon, NSW, till mid-October, then another 'sit' at Beechwood till late January; PM if you're coming this way.)

PS - We've met one couple who claimed to put in only one claim to Centrelink per year, although they're often on the move - the amount paid to them probably averages out the same, but I wouldn't like to try it!!

Hi guys

I can only confirm the same as every body else. Yep everytime we move to another destination that requires fees, I just change the address on line, and yes a new card is generated, which goes to our post office address. Seems to be the norm.

As far as minimum time to claim rent assistance, haven't come accross that one. We are currently house sitting with no rent assistance required, and have advised accordingly. "No good biting the hand the feeds you."

Hope my two bobs worth helps.

Cheers & beers

rockylizard wrote:

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Sorry but there is "no limit" for the length of stay ..... I claim rental assistance for two days (or more if I stay longer) ... no issue, Centrelink pay.

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That's what I was told over the counter when I asked them, and it's nice to know because sooner or later I'll stop for a while somewhere that costs more than $5 a night. Just goes to show that every time you ask a different Centrelink employee the same question you'll be given a new answer. Who said there was no creativity in public service jobs?

Is it necessary to submit a written form to claim rent assistance, or is it enough to simply update one's details online?

Andrea wrote:

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Don't knock them, moblet - they have trouble enough keeping up with constantly changing rules, paperwork, etc. As an ex-PS (state) I know just how it feels to have little to no support or recognition: I enjoyed my work but I finally ran away screaming in 2006, couldn't face going back even after four months accrued sick leave; shortly afterwards, they'd appointed three people to do my old job!   (My husband had done similar in 1996 (from Consumer Affairs), tho' much more spectacularly!)

**end of rant!** 

Andrea

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Rant accepted. I'm not knocking the people - I used to work on management systems and it's clear to me that the problem is with the systems, not the people. If anything I'm amazed at how positive and helpful the (surviving) staff are under the circumstances. The guy who advised my friend took the time to look up the information on his computer, which was evidently wrong. Too many large organisations seem to function as well as they do thanks to people who find ways to get things done in spite of the management systems, and I sometimes wish you'd all resign at once just so the true effectiveness of the systems could be exposed!

And yeah, once worked in Consumer Affairs and had a huge task convincing the project manager of a top-down systems implementation that unless other parts of our process were also changed, our workload would increase, not decrease.

In regards to staff giving different info, take note of the reference number, date and time of the conversation.

My daughter and a friend both had appointment issues recently. Staff gave them a date and time, when they got there they were told 'no, that appointment was yesterday'! In the case of my daughter, they said if she hung around for an hour, they'd slot her in. Duly waited, no-one called her, and when she inquired, she'd been completly wiped off the list.

moblet wrote:

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Is it necessary to submit a written form to claim rent assistance, or is it enough to simply update one's details online?

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Gday...

Yes. You have lodge (by post or hand into a Centrelink office) a Rent Certificate each time you move to a new address (van park) - get your first copy from a Centrelink office.

You need to update your details when you move - either online, by phoning 132300, or calling into a Centrelink office. I do it online.

Each time you update your 'home address' you can access a new Rent Certificate online and print it off. I save it as a PDF file and print extra copies if I need for next van park.

Cheers - John

Andrea wrote:

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Still, as brickies says, walk in offering a smile and it's amazing just what Centreling staff - and other front-line public servants - can achieve.

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 Yes that definitely does the trick! We are treated like their long-lost Aunt and Uncle at the local office! At other offices we havent quite met that level of friendliness, but still no complaints, they are courteous and helpful.

It is always wise to write down the reference number, also name of the person who gave you information, the next person for whatever reason may have different onfo. 

jules47 wrote:

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That's one of the reasons I don't like using internet for Centrelink stuff, while we are using mobile connection devices, takes up so much of your usage, just trying to get through to the correct site.

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 It only took me a few seconds to get to Centrelink via the gov. site

That's what I meant - registration always takes forever - they want to know the ins and outs of a duck's b..m -