In September 2009, the Australian Government increased some single pension payments by up to $32.49 a week.
The pensions that received the increase include:
- Disability Support Pension for recipients aged 21 and over
- Carer Pension
- Wife Pension Disability
- Wife Pension Age
- Age Pension
- Widow B Pension
- Bereavement Allowance
- Service Pension
- War Widow/ers Payment
The Australian Government asked that the pension increase received by single pensioners living in social housing be excluded from their rent assessment.
The Queensland Government has agreed to passing on the full increase to single pensioners in social housing who received the increase.
This means that the $32.49 pension increase per week will not be counted as income and will not be lost in rent.
The Department of Communities has suspended all annual rent reviews while the necessary system changes are made to meet this commitment.
This applies to all households including households without any pensioners who receive a single pension rate.
Annual rent reviews will recommence in the future for all social housing tenants.
However, if there is a change in the income received by a household member or if there is a change in who lives in your household, you must inform your nearest Housing Services office. The office will determine if rent assessment is required as a result of a change in your household circumstances.
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