The Meeting Place > General Discussion > Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance

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judo
6 yrs ago

We are a couple receiving the age pension who still have a house mortgage. If we were renting we could receive the full rental assistance which is currently $125.40 per fortnight. This amount is then paid to the owner of the rented premises, who may use it to pay their mortage. Since there may be many pensioners in our position why are we discriminated against. Surely those age pensioners with a verifiable mortage should be elligible for this assistance. The government is keen to have aged people remain in their homes to reduce pressure on aged care. This current situation is counter productive.  

4 comments

Let me get my head around this, you already receive pensions. You have a mortgage and now you want the taxpayer to pay that for you as well. That is what your pension is for, to pay your debts.

The owner of the rented premises you speak of is obviously not receiving a pension.

trevor, if you and your partner wish, you can sell your house, pay off your mortgage, and rent.   if your combined assets and incomes are below centrelink's threshold, you will also receive pension and rent assistance.

 

Agree with your comment Kika.  The poor old taxpayer is being asked to do a lot these days.  Whether we believe it or not pensioners in this country are on the whole pretty well looked after.  

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Adrianus
6 yrs ago

 

Well Trevor Ambrose, you know what?

I was not aware of your's and others' predicament.

You make a very valid point for some level of assistance on the basis of equality. You are being discriminated against. Perhaps

Centerlink could assess the situation and provide some sort of rental assistance based on the interest component of your loan? But be warned, this sort of arrangement could also be accompanied by a greater home owner assets test. 

I think I'm starting to get a handle on this equality issue.

 

 

Frank - no threshold for home owner asset and if threshold increased for other assets, it will work in Trevor's favour

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Adrianus
6 yrs ago

I'm talking about the $250,000 valuation on the house. Theoretically if Trevor was to get some relief then perhaps this valuation would increase.

its his principal residence silly - doesnt affect the pension no matter what the value

stick to homophobia Frank, that's what youre good at

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Adrianus
6 yrs ago

Raphael, I'll give this one last shot!

Centerlink place a value on the home regardless of its real value.

Assets test for hoemowner couple is $380,500.

Assets test for non homeowner couple is $583,500.

Theres a difference in those threshholds Rap of $203,000. This amount in effect is the valuation placed on Trevor's home by centerlink.

Try to keep up!

You're asking too much of him Frank. 

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Adrianus
6 yrs ago

Trevor, your home is not a relocatable is it?

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ex PS
6 yrs ago

Maybe the Home Owners rate of pension should only actually apply to home owners.  If the bank actually owns the mortgage on your house, you are not really a homeowner are you?  Maybe a couple or person who is still paying of their house should be treated the same as one who is renting for purposes of assessing the amount of O.A.P Entitlement that is paid.

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Adrianus
6 yrs ago

On the surface that would seem logical, but the more you think about it? ?? The asset cannot just disappear, using the equity in the home as an asset , in many cases could see the mortgagee pensioner without a pension? 

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