Special Residence - Basic Assessment Rules

the entry contribution amount will be assessable under the assets test,
they will be subject to the higher assets value limit (AVL), and
may receive rent assistance, if otherwise eligible.
More →

Chapter 5.1 Rent Assistance

9.2.2/Amount of Rent Paid

More → (go back)

Extra allowable amount

VEA →

Section 52N VEA

VEA → (go back)

The EAA is the difference between the assets value limits for a property owner (low limit) and a non-property owner (high limit) that applies to the person.

Note: A person's entry contribution and EAA are assessed on an individual basis even if they are a member of a couple. Assets value limits for couples (partnered or illness separated) are generally quoted on rates charts as a combined figure and will require conversion to an individual rate before calculating EAA.

Impact of domestic circumstances on basic assessment rules

The person's domestic circumstances may impact the basic assessment rules. The following three tables cover possible scenarios in these main groupings:

not a member of a couple
member of a couple
member of an illness separated couple

Note: A special assets value limit applies to illness separated couples in special residences in certain circumstances.

Not a member of a couple

The following table provides assessment rules for possible scenarios of persons who are not a member of a couple and reside in a special residence.

If the person is not a member of a couple, resides in a special residence and the entry contribution is...

Then the person is a special resident and is assessed as...

more than the EAA

VEA →

Subsection 52Q(2) VEA

VEA → (go back)

a homeowner.

9.2.2/Homeowner's Basic Assessment Rules

More → (go back)

less than or equal to the EAA

VEA →

Subsection 52Q(3) VEA

VEA → (go back)

a non-homeowner.

9.2.2/Non-Homeowner's Basic Assessment Rules

More → (go back)

Member of a couple

The following table provides assessment rules for possible scenarios of persons who are a member of a couple and reside in a special residence.

If the person is a member of a couple and resides in a special residence...	And the individual entry contribution is...	Then follow the assessment rules contained in...
whose partner resides in the same special residence VEA → Subsection 52R(2) VEA VEA → (go back)	more than the EAA	homeowners, and both special residents.
whose partner resides in the same special residence VEA → Subsection 52R(3) VEA VEA → (go back)	less than or equal to the EAA	non-homeowners, and both special residents.
whose partner resides in another special residence VEA → Subsection 52V(2) VEA VEA → (go back)	more than the EAA	homeowners, both special residents, and the value of the two entry contributions are compared, the lower value is assessable as an asset, and the higher value is considered the principal home and disregarded.
whose partner resides in another special residence VEA → Subsection 52V(3) VEA VEA → (go back)	less than or equal to the EAA	non-homeowners, and both special residents.
whose partner VEA → Section 52W VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is a property owner	any amount	homeowners, one special resident, and the values of the entry contribution and the partner's property are compared, the lower value is assessable as an asset, and the higher value is considered the couple's principal home and disregarded as an asset
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52X(2) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is not a property owner	more than the EAA	homeowners, and one is a special resident. Note: Even though the partner is not a property owner, as a member or a couple they are both taken to be homeowners of the special residence.
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52X(3) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is not a property owner	less than or equal to the EAA	non-homeowners, and one is a special resident.

Member of an illness separated couple

The following table provides assessment rules for possible scenarios of persons who are a member of an illness separated couple and reside in a special residence.

If the person resides in a special residence and is a member of an illness separated couple...	And the entry contribution(s)...	Then the person is assessed as...	And their partner is assessed as...
whose partner is also a special resident VEA → Subsection 52S(2) VEA VEA → (go back)	are both more than the EAA	a special resident, and a homeowner	a special resident, and a homeowner
whose partner is also a special resident VEA → Subsection 52S(3) VEA VEA → (go back)	are both less than or equal to the EAA	a special resident, and a non-homeowner	a special resident, and a non-homeowner
whose partner is also a special resident VEA → Subsection 52S(5) VEA VEA → (go back)	for the person is more than the EAA, and for the partner is less than or equal to the EAA	a special resident, and a homeowner Note: A special assets value limit applies	a special resident, and a non-homeowner
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52T(2) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is a property owner	is more than the EAA	a special resident, and a homeowner	a homeowner
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52T(3) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is a property owner	is less than or equal to the EAA	a special resident, and a non homeowner Note: A special assets value limit applies	a homeowner
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52U(2) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is not a property owner	is more than the EAA	a special resident, and a homeowner Note: A special assets value limit applies	a non-homeowner
whose partner VEA → Subsection 52U(4) VEA VEA → (go back) is not a special resident, and is not a property owner	is less than or equal to EAA	a special resident, and a non-homeowner	a non-homeowner