C36/1996 CARAVAN PARKS MARKETED AS RETIREMENT PARKS - CORRECTION TO DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTION C12/96

DATE OF ISSUE:  22 MAY 1996

CARAVAN PARKS MARKETED AS RETIREMENT PARKS - CORRECTION TO DEPARTMENTAL INSTRUCTION C12/96

The purpose of this Departmental Instruction (DI) is to correct paragraph 9 of DI C12/96 "Caravan Parks Marketed as Retirement Parks" issued on 5 February 1996.  Paragraph 9 dealt with the treatment of the value of the caravan, mobile or transportable home, other vehicle or structure in relation to the assets test.

Background

2.Paragraph 9 of DI C12/96 stated:

"9.Accordingly, if a pensioner is not, among other things, an ineligible property owner they may be eligible to receive rent assistance.  Eligibility for rent assistance and rates of rent assistance are prescribed under section 41 Module C of the VEA and pensioners should be assessed on this basis when they apply for rent assistance.  Consistent with current policy, the value of the caravan, mobile or transportable home, other vehicle or structure is not disregarded for the purposes of the assets test."

3.The last sentence of paragraph 9 is consistent with policy contained in the current version of General Orders Service Pension (GOSP).  However, it has been subsequently discovered that the policy contained in GOSP under the heading 'ineligible property owner' concerning the assets test is incorrect and not consistent with the legislative provisions.  It appears as though the intention and clarity of the 'ineligible property owner' section in GOSP was lost when amended in the last major rewrite of GOSP.

New Paragraph 9

4.The following paragraph should replace paragraph 9 of DI C12/96:

"9.Accordingly, if a pensioner is not, among other things, an ineligible property owner they may be able to receive rent assistance.  Eligibility for rent assistance and rates of rent assistance are prescribed under section 41 Module C of the VEA and pensioners should be assessed on this basis when they apply for rent assistance.  Accordingly, the value of the caravan, mobile or transportable home, other vehicle or structure owned by a person is disregarded for the assets test and the person is treated as a homeowner."

Amendments to the GOSP

5.The relevant amendments to GOSP will be made which will correctly reflect the intention of the legislation and the previous policy prior to the last major rewrite of GOSP.  The amendments will be available at the next release of GOSP amendments

Queries

6.Any further queries in respect of this matter should be directed to John Bruce on telephone 06-2896441, fax. 06-2894854, LAN C-C-PAA-5.

MURRAY HARRISON

BRANCH HEAD

INCOME SUPPORT