How does centrelink rent assistance work

If paying your rent each month is a struggle and you are already on certain Centrelink payments, you may be eligible for rent assistance. What is rent assistance? Who can get rent assistance? You must also pay one of the following:. How much rent assistance can you get? People without dependent children. Source: Services Australia, People with dependent children. How do you apply for rent assistance?

Can I get emergency money for rent? Finance Writer. Katie covers all things personal finance for Canstar. Share this article. Related How much should I spend on rent? Financial hardship: what is it and how can you regain financial control? Renting: Can I break my lease early? The table below features savings accounts with some of the highest non-introductory and introductory interest rates on the market. Offer ends Commonwealth Rent Assistance CRA , also just known as rent assistance, is a Centrelink payment that certain people who have to pay rent and currently receive some form of payment from the government like the age pension can receive.

You can receive rent assistance from the government if you currently receive any of the following:. JobSeeker or a Farm Household Allowance. Site or mooring fees if your main place of residence is a relocatable home, like a boat or caravan.

The Australian Government pays a subsidy to an approved residential aged care facility where you live. If you managed to get all that, keep reading for details on how much money you can get from rent assistance. Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

Fast online application No Nano fees. Rates correct as of November 13, View disclaimer. How much rent assistance you can receive depends on how much rent you pay per fortnight. Your rent assistance may be adjusted if the amount of rent you pay increases or decreases, if you move house, if your income changes, or if your family situation changes such as getting divorced. The amount of rent assistance you receive could also change depending on changes to the payment rates made every year in line with CPI.

You will likely be asked to provide proof that you pay rent and will need to provide a rent certificate, which will be sent to you to fill out. There are many in the industry who argue the current levels of rent assistance are insufficient, while others argue they're high enough as is.

Mr Coates thinks assistance rates should be indexed to changes in rents, as these increases are paid for by those renting. The Productivity Commission itself found cause to boost rent assistance too.

But others say current income support payments are enough. According to the government, the different payments combined including the energy supplement are appropriate. Source: Services Australia Rent Assistance payments See more See less. If you have one or more dependent children in your care, you can find the maximum amount of Rent Assistance available to you here. Rent Assistance eligibility is based on other payments you might be receiving through Centrelink.

If you pay rent, and also receive one of the following payments, you can get Rent Assistance :. Certain special rules apply to young people who may be eligible for Rent Assistance payments. You are not eligible for Rent Assistance payments if you meet any of the following conditions:. When you claim one of the other eligible payments, Services Australia will automatically assess your Rent Assistance eligibility as well.

If you already get Rent Assistance and you need to change your address, you can do so by signing into myGov and going to Centrelink. To receive Centrelink Rent Assistance , you must also meet the residence requirements of your pension, allowance, or benefit. Centrelink Rent Assistance is generally not payable if you:.

Rent assistance payments top up your income to help you pay rent above a set cost. Remember if you receive Centrelink payments you may be able to arrange to have your rent payments taken from your Centrelink payment through Centrepay if your real estate agent is registered before your fortnightly allowance is deposited into your account.

You do not need to lodge a separate claim for Rent Assistance.