What is it?
Rent Assistance gives extra help to you if you receive more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A, and pay rent to private landlords.
Who is eligible?
You may also be able to get help if you pay:
- lodging, or board and lodging;
- site fees (eg. caravan, mobile home);
- mooring fees for a boat or vessel that you live in.
Rent Assistance is generally not paid to people who pay rent to a government housing authority (such as a Housing Commission), own or are buying the home in which they live (except for mobile and relocatable homes), are getting Incentive Allowance, or pay less than the threshold amount of rent.
How much is it?
Rent Assistance is paid at the rate of 75 cents for each dollar of rent paid above the rent threshold, up to specified maximum rates. The rate of Rent Assistance depends on how many children you have, and whether you are partnered or single.
Maximum fortnightly payments range from $122.22 for a single person with one child up to $138.18 for a couple with 3 or more children. These rates are a guide only. For an estimate on how much you may be able to claim, use the online Family Assistance Estimator.
How do I get it?
Rent Assistance is paid along with your Family Tax Benefit. You can choose to get your Rent Assistance as fortnightly payments even if you choose to defer all of your Family Tax Benefit until after the end of the income (financial) year.
Rent Assistance cannot be paid through the tax system.
In order to claim rent assistance, you'll need to supply the Family Assistance Office with a copy of your current lease or tenancy agreement.
Source: Family Assistance Office
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