New Centrelink Guidelines For Those Living Full Time in Their RV
Cropper said
11:47 PM Jun 7, 2012
Mobile-Home pensioners to lose up to $4900 a year.
Jenny Macklin's office confirms that Pensioners failing Centrelinks draconian Asset assesment on self funded caravan and mobile home-owners will have their pension cut by $4900 per year whilst maintaining a loop hole exemption for retirement home and granny flat pensioners.
In a move seen as a slap in the face for caravan owners and caravan park operators but a boon for the retirement home industry, a letter from
Minister Jenny Macklin's office has confirmed that Centrelink Pensioners self funding their own caravans and mobile-homes will continue facing thedraconian maximum asset test and a subsequent reduction of $187.50 from their fortnightly pension.
Whilst pensioners with the same assets prepared to move into retirement home or granny flat arrangements will automatically be granted a $135,000 asset test exemption and still receive a full pension.
Low cost Caravans and mobile homes have now become the financial kiss of death for pensioners.
For manyPensioners, who have worked hard all their lives, finally got the kids out of theirhair.Buying a mobile home , Caravan or boat and going tolive the great Grey Nomad lifestyle, traveling and seeing our great country . Is the ultimate dream. What could be better?
Why wouldn't you want the Grey Nomad Lifestyle?
Unfortunately..From a financial viewpoint Centrelink and the Responsible Minister Jenny Macklin have some very bad news for you.
In a letter to a concerned Mobile-Home pensioner theHon Minister Jenny Maclins office has confirmed that the Australian Labor party has no intention of changing Centerlinks draconian asset test for pensioners wishing tobuy and live in a low cost mobile home.
Yes under Minister Jenny Macklin's Labor Policy if you buy your own caravan, Centrelink will REDUCE your fortnightlypension by up to a third. Or around $187.50 per fortnight, Thats $4875 a year taken away from you simply because you wanted to live in a caravan, Ouch..Whilst at the same timeGranny Flat and retirement home pensioners in the same asset situation get a full pension.
Centrelink's crackdown on on self funded caravan owners who assumed that there caravan was a assetand that they would be treated as non-home owners for the asset test, the same as granny flat and retirement home pensioners are in for a big shock, Failingto declareto Centrelink is a crime and not only could they now fail the draconian home owners asset test and have there pension reduced but they may have to pay back thousands,
How did this situation come about, WellCentrelink means tests Pensioner based on income (money you earn) and 2 types of asset tests. One for homeowners and a different one for non home owners. Fair enough you say the government can't just give the money away.
As a Caravan owner the first issue you will encounter in your Grey Nomad dream, is that Centrelinkasset tests your dream escape Grey Nomad Mobil home in the same way it treats Bricks and Mortar houses.
When you declare you are living in a mobile home caravanCentrelink will determine that yourCaravan ormobile home is your principle home and instead of allowing you the $321,750 assettest exemption granted to non homeowners. Centrelink instead changes to themore draconian $186 750 asset test limit used to asses pensioners who are bricks and mortar home owners.The difference between the non-homeowner and home-owner asset test is $135.000.
In other words if your mobile home isworth $10,000 ,it will now have a $135,000 negative consequence on your asset test for your pension.
Yes that 15 year old Toyota Coaster Minibus glowingly converted in the back shed to the Grey Nomad dream escapevehicleand fire-sale valuation of $11000 will now be treated by Centrelink as your principle home and you will now be hit with a $135,000 asset test penalty whether your a single pensioner or a couple .
ñExample
A single non-homeowner pensioner with assets of $321,750 will currently meet all Centrelink asset tests and therefor be getting a full pension of $695.30 a fortnight. Or $18,077 per year.
By buying a low cost $10,000caravan or mobile home to live in,their Pension will result in aimmediate $187.50 reduction in the fortnightly payment. Or $4875 per year.
In other cases where pensioners have larger assets amounts moving to live in your dream caravan could mean you are disqualified from a pension completely.
Jenny Macklins office stats that the assets test on home-owners applies equally to all.
The problem with what Jenny is saying is that Centrelinkdoesn't always apply the asset testfairly to all !!!!!!!!!!
The government has a special asset test category called extra allowable amount that allows certain privilegedPensioners to choose how they want the asset test applied.
lExtra allowable amount for retirement village and granny flat residents
If your entry contribution is equal to or less than the extra allowable amount at the time of entry, you are assessed as a non-homeowner. Your entry contribution will count as an asset. You may qualify for Rent Assistance. The extra allowable amount is the difference between the non-homeowner and the homeowner asset test limits, currently $135 000. Source Centrelink website
Basically if people pay money for a granny flat or retirement homethe government will let them choose whether their granny flat or retirement home payment makes them a home owner or Non Home owner. In other words they get the best of both worlds and are always on the most beneficial assets test. This is a gift to the retirement home industry denied to caravan pensioners.
What has the Granny Flat or Retirement industry done that the Caravan Owners and Associations have not been able to achieve?
Why is Centrelink bending the rules so that the retirement home industry benefits.?
Is Centrelink legally allowed to discriminate against pensioners who choose a caravan over a granny flat or retirement home.?
Can disaffected caravan pensioners mount a class action against Centrelink discrimination between retirement home pensioners and poorer caravan pensioners?
What makes retirement home pensioners and granny flat pensioners more special?
Why cant self funding Caravan and Mobile home pensioners have the same asset test choices as Granny flat pensioners?
Imagine the boost the the Victorian and Australian caravan manufacturingIndustry if pensioners were free to self fund their own Caravans without being persecuted by the government.
In summary pensioners who provided for their own mobile home accommodation are penalised and are only allowed a full pension if they are prepared or able to have a net worth of $135,000 less than a non home retirement home or granny flat pensioner.
We need to fix this ridiculous anomaly .
The simple answer isjust letpensioners with self funded mobile homes .choose whether they want to be treated as non home owners and have there mobile homevalued at its TRUE asset value ie $20,000 dollars or for those pensioners with larger mobile homes the optionbe treated as home owners for the purpose of the pension asset test. Exactly the same as it allows pensioners who have granny flats and retirement home places.
Note. Calculations used in this document are based on currentCentrelink information.
Centrelink Information for pensioners
Base Pension $695.30 per fortnight.
Asset Test Allowance.
Family situationFor HomeownersFor Non-homeowners
Single$186 750$321 750
Case Study A
Two Pensionerhave $321,750 in assets and each receive a full fortnightly pension of $691.30
One pensioner chooses to live in a rentalcaravan , He receives his full fortnightly pension and full rent assistance.
The other pensioner buys a $10,000 caravan and moves it to a caravan park . He is now assessed as a home owner and now fails the asset test by $135,000 and His pension is automatically reduced by 187.50 per fortnight.He will receive possibly some reduced rent assistance at a reduced rate.
Pension reduction calculation.
$321,750 less $10,000 caravan total assets $311,750
Home owner asset test allowance. $186,750 $311,750 = $125,000 assets above limit.
pension Reduction of $1.50 per $1000.$125,000 / 1000 * 1.5 =$187.50 per fortnight.
Note. For pensions, assets over asset test limit amounts reduce pension by $1.50 per fortnight for every $1000 above the amount
Case Study B.
Two non-homeowner pensioners with $321,000 in assets receive full pension ofa fortnight.
Pensioner onepays $30,000 for a right to a granny flat in there daughters house, and he move in.
Centrelink applies the Extra allowable amount rule and decides that they are a non home owners for asset test purposes and allows them to receive a full pension.
Pensioner two buys a $30,000 caravan and goes to live in it.
Centrelink automatically asset tests him as a home owner and reduces his pension by $157.50 a fortnight,
($321750 -$30,000 -$186,750)/1000*1.5 =105 *1.5=$157.50 a fortnight
Case Study C.
Pensioners who want to live in a $10,000 self funded caravan are only allowed 185,000 in assetsmaking there allowablenet worth 195,000 before centre link cuts there weekly pension.
Non self providing pensionerswho rent a home, willget rent assistance from the governmentare allowedup to $335,000 in assets before centre link cuts there pension
A millionaire pensioner can buy a 1,000,000 house and have assets worth $185,000giving a net-worth of $1,185.000 and still get a full pension,
neilnruth said
12:52 AM Jun 8, 2012
It took ages to read - but wow! Something to think about.
kandagal said
04:25 AM Jun 8, 2012
If a couple can keep their assets under $265,000 & get a motorhome or caravan do they still then get the full pension?
rockylizard said
04:33 AM Jun 8, 2012
Gday...
This has been posted on a wide range of forums. Each posting has been by a member who has minimal posts 'history'.
I suggest that rather than reacting to a confusing and not actually very enlightening long-winded information that any member who is concerned should approach the Centrellink Financian Assistance Service, make an appointment and confirm what is their OWN entitlement.
Cheers - John
Keith19837 said
05:05 AM Jun 8, 2012
My first wife took all my assets so I should be O.K. (I think).
milo said
05:17 AM Jun 8, 2012
very very confusing...
Cruising Granny said
05:56 AM Jun 8, 2012
If it's a quote of a Centrelink document it's very confusing, as usual. As a van resident renting a site as a long-term tenant in a van park I currently qualify for full rent assistance. I am not a permanent anywhere. Always long or short term tenant. I have always been eligible for full rent assistance wherever I've parked, even when I travelled full time. I concur with Rocky. Do not panic. Check with Centrelink about your own circumstances. By the way, I have received my $250 to offset the carbon tax hit. What a joke? The carbon tax is intended to go on forever, while the offset only happens once and will never happen again.
milo said
06:48 AM Jun 8, 2012
bit of a joke really, the whole lot, but still it helped me out this week with a couple bills.. hey cg do caravan park owners , work out some sort of amount each week, say if i sold my house, lived in a motor home/caravan for acouple years before deciding what or where to live, can you pay say so much a fortnight or what ever ,kind of like renting i guess..
Cropper said
01:03 PM Jun 8, 2012
As I am contemplating buying a caravan or motorhome and living on the road I am looking at as much information as I can on doing so, and this article on another forum caught my eye.
At the invitation of the poster, I copied the article as I thought it may be of interest to those on this forum, particularly those living on the road or in caravan parks with their RV full time. See this extract from the post;
"I have attached a printable version of this document if any one wants to print it out and put it up on Caravan notice boards."
I thought it would go without saying that anyone who was concerned about the matter and wanted it clarified would contact Centrelink for more info.
I notice that Rocky Lizard also commented on the other forum, see;
I myself will be checking the current situation with Centrelink if and when I decide to go down that road and agree with others here that anyone concerned should do so.
Happywanderer said
03:11 PM Jun 8, 2012
A very repetitive statement that sounds quite unbelievable. How come nobody else knows about it. CG the carbon tax payemnt of 250.00 is only part of an increase for pensioners to cover the carbon costs. The total per year is a whole 338.00 of which 250.00 is a lump sum to take us up to next March when we start getting it paid as an extra on our pensions as a permanent payment. I bought portable Solar panels with my payment. Came in very handy for me.
Pejay said
10:37 PM Jun 8, 2012
We're still waiting for our carbon tax money, but then again as our surname starts with a 'W' guess we could be waiting a little while longer!!
Happywanderer said
10:50 PM Jun 8, 2012
Its nothing to do with your surname Pejay. They say on the website they will pay it with your normal payment during the dates of 28th May to 8th June. I got mine on Wednesday. I was talking to a couple of people up town yesterday, one had received theirs, the other hadn't although being paid mid week. I suggested they get in touch with Centrelink, They said they would see if it arrived next pension day then get in touch. Even though I explained it should all be paid by the 8th June. I would be asking Centrelink as the dates only allow for one payment date and it should be paid. I also got a letter announcing it had gone into my bank.
Sheba said
01:40 AM Jun 9, 2012
Got mine yesterday. Paid 12 months Rego. instead of 6 months this time.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Boroma577 said
01:51 AM Jun 9, 2012
Being a self funded retiree I don't qualify....pity.
Jack Mac said
12:22 AM Jun 10, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
If it's a quote of a Centrelink document it's very confusing, as usual. As a van resident renting a site as a long-term tenant in a van park I currently qualify for full rent assistance. I am not a permanent anywhere. Always long or short term tenant. I have always been eligible for full rent assistance wherever I've parked, even when I travelled full time. I concur with Rocky. Do not panic. Check with Centrelink about your own circumstances. By the way, I have received my $250 to offset the carbon tax hit. What a joke? The carbon tax is intended to go on forever, while the offset only happens once and will never happen again.
Without knowing all the ins and outs, CG, I think you will find this is an annual payment.
Apart from this what's all the gripe about a carbon tax? We've paid taxes all our life and one more or less is hardly catastrophic. If there is no need for it then it's not a great burden, but if it proves there is a need then we've got in on the ground floor and it may help future generations.
It seems to me that most of us were the lucky generation, not all I know, but we had parents that grew up through the great depression went to war or kept the homefires burning. They didn't think of hitting the Grey Nomad trail and were happy to bring up their family.
Our generation was going to change the world but all I seem to here everywhere is how much we have to pay, gripes about Centrelink, politicians, public servants and anything else we can hang our hat on.
I've worked since I was fifteen, paid my taxes, a fortune in child maintenance(which I not only don't regret but was happy to pay my responsibility) and just because I don't have everything I had planned for I don't blame anyone else.
We are still in a country whre we can be Grey Nomads, not necessarilly in the rig we would prefer but able to just the same.
Happywanderer said
12:31 AM Jun 10, 2012
Have to agree with you there Jack Mac. My farming parents had a miserable life in comparison to this generation, hard work, ill health, no pensions back then. Both died young and never got to even experience retirement. I'm grateful I have got that chance to get out there on the road and fulfil my dream which I know my mum would have loved.
Regards your statement above on the carbon tax payment, as I said earlier we will be receiving a fortnightly payment from March as a permanent payment. The lump sum was to take us up to March when it starts.
Jack Mac said
12:34 AM Jun 10, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
Have to agree with you there Jack Mac. My farming parents had a miserable life in comparison to this generation, hard work, ill health, no pensions back then. Both died young and never got to even experience retirement. I'm grateful I have got that chance to get out there on the road and fulfil my dream which I know my mum would have loved.
Regards your statement above on the carbon tax payment, as I said earlier we will be receiving a fortnightly payment from March as a permanent payment. The lump sum was to take us up to March when it starts.
You're right Marj, we don't realise how lucky we are.
Cruising Granny said
12:46 AM Jun 10, 2012
milo wrote:
bit of a joke really, the whole lot, but still it helped me out this week with a couple bills.. hey cg do caravan park owners , work out some sort of amount each week, say if i sold my house, lived in a motor home/caravan for acouple years before deciding what or where to live, can you pay say so much a fortnight or what ever ,kind of like renting i guess..
Milo, most parks, privately owned or council owned will have some set rents. Seasonal pressures change this in some regions eg Broome.
The long-term rent in this park is $28/night, but pay for 6 out of 7 nights, power included.
I believe permanents pay a slightly different rent, plus power.
It's exactly like renting any space anywhere else. House, unit, van park site, it's rent. You are free to come and go as in your own home. There are rules which apply to everyone in the property.
I like the security and the fact I won't be kept awake all night by my inconsiderate neighbours.
I like the lifestyle also.
When I go to work I go camping. The best of both worlds.
golivers travels said
03:33 AM Jun 10, 2012
Boroma577 wrote:
Being a self funded retiree I don't qualify....pity.
Same here Boroma.......yes a pity. Also do not qualify for a health care card by a few dollars.
Glenda
traveling bob said
06:02 PM Jun 15, 2012
The pension rate quoted is for a single person. Married rate is $1038 per couple. Now if one partner is eligible for pension the rate is $519. Carbon tax Payment for single is $190, but married couple is $380 per couple.
neilnruth said
10:45 PM Jun 15, 2012
It's only $380 for a couple if both are pensioners. Only one of us is so we only got $190. And it's already been spent on fuel as we are travelling.
Jack Mac said
12:35 AM Jun 17, 2012
traveling bob wrote:
The pension rate quoted is for a single person. Married rate is $1038 per couple. Now if one partner is eligible for pension the rate is $519. Carbon tax Payment for single is $190, but married couple is $380 per couple.
The carbon tax payment for a single pensioner (not part of a couple) is $250. either that or I've been overpaid, hardly likely, considering that is what the website says.
Happywanderer said
12:38 AM Jun 17, 2012
$250 is correct Jack Mac.
Jack Mac said
12:45 AM Jun 17, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
$250 is correct Jack Mac.
Nice to know I'm not always wrong.
Happywanderer said
12:46 AM Jun 17, 2012
Jack mac, the $190 single rate is if you are half of a couple. If you are single single you get $250.
Mobile-Home pensioners to lose up to $4900 a year.
Jenny Macklin's office confirms that Pensioners failing Centrelinks draconian Asset assesment on self funded caravan and mobile home-owners will have their pension cut by $4900 per year whilst maintaining a loop hole exemption for retirement home and granny flat pensioners.
In a move seen as a slap in the face for caravan owners and caravan park operators but a boon for the retirement home industry, a letter from
Minister Jenny Macklin's office has confirmed that Centrelink Pensioners self funding their own caravans and mobile-homes will continue facing the draconian maximum asset test and a subsequent reduction of $187.50 from their fortnightly pension.
Whilst pensioners with the same assets prepared to move into retirement home or granny flat arrangements will automatically be granted a $135,000 asset test exemption and still receive a full pension.
Low cost Caravans and mobile homes have now become the financial kiss of death for pensioners.
For many Pensioners, who have worked hard all their lives, finally got the kids out of their hair. Buying a mobile home , Caravan or boat and going to live the great Grey Nomad lifestyle, traveling and seeing our great country . Is the ultimate dream. What could be better?
Why wouldn't you want the Grey Nomad Lifestyle?
Unfortunately..From a financial viewpoint Centrelink and the Responsible Minister Jenny Macklin have some very bad news for you.
In a letter to a concerned Mobile-Home pensioner the Hon Minister Jenny Maclins office has confirmed that the Australian Labor party has no intention of changing Centerlinks draconian asset test for pensioners wishing to buy and live in a low cost mobile home.
Yes under Minister Jenny Macklin's Labor Policy if you buy your own caravan, Centrelink will REDUCE your fortnightly pension by up to a third. Or around $187.50 per fortnight, Thats $4875 a year taken away from you simply because you wanted to live in a caravan, Ouch..Whilst at the same time Granny Flat and retirement home pensioners in the same asset situation get a full pension.
Centrelink's crackdown on on self funded caravan owners who assumed that there caravan was a asset and that they would be treated as non-home owners for the asset test, the same as granny flat and retirement home pensioners are in for a big shock, Failing to declare to Centrelink is a crime and not only could they now fail the draconian home owners asset test and have there pension reduced but they may have to pay back thousands,
How did this situation come about, Well Centrelink means tests Pensioner based on income (money you earn) and 2 types of asset tests. One for homeowners and a different one for non home owners. Fair enough you say the government can't just give the money away.
As a Caravan owner the first issue you will encounter in your Grey Nomad dream, is that Centrelink asset tests your dream escape Grey Nomad Mobil home in the same way it treats Bricks and Mortar houses.
When you declare you are living in a mobile home caravan Centrelink will determine that your Caravan or mobile home is your principle home and instead of allowing you the $321,750 asset test exemption granted to non homeowners. Centrelink instead changes to the more draconian $186 750 asset test limit used to asses pensioners who are bricks and mortar home owners. The difference between the non-homeowner and home-owner asset test is $135.000.
In other words if your mobile home is worth $10,000 , it will now have a $135,000 negative consequence on your asset test for your pension.
Yes that 15 year old Toyota Coaster Minibus glowingly converted in the back shed to the Grey Nomad dream escape vehicle and fire-sale valuation of $11000 will now be treated by Centrelink as your principle home and you will now be hit with a $135,000 asset test penalty whether your a single pensioner or a couple .
ñExample
A single non-homeowner pensioner with assets of $321,750 will currently meet all Centrelink asset tests and therefor be getting a full pension of $695.30 a fortnight. Or $18,077 per year.
By buying a low cost $10,000 caravan or mobile home to live in, their Pension will result in a immediate $187.50 reduction in the fortnightly payment. Or $4875 per year.
In other cases where pensioners have larger assets amounts moving to live in your dream caravan could mean you are disqualified from a pension completely.
Jenny Macklins office stats that the assets test on home-owners applies equally to all.
The problem with what Jenny is saying is that Centrelink doesn't always apply the asset test fairly to all !!!!!!!!!!
The government has a special asset test category called extra allowable amount that allows certain privileged Pensioners to choose how they want the asset test applied.
l Extra allowable amount for retirement village and granny flat residents
If your entry contribution is equal to or less than the extra allowable amount at the time of entry, you are assessed as a non-homeowner. Your entry contribution will count as an asset. You may qualify for Rent Assistance. The extra allowable amount is the difference between the non-homeowner and the homeowner asset test limits, currently $135 000. Source Centrelink website
Basically if people pay money for a granny flat or retirement home the government will let them choose whether their granny flat or retirement home payment makes them a home owner or Non Home owner. In other words they get the best of both worlds and are always on the most beneficial assets test. This is a gift to the retirement home industry denied to caravan pensioners.
What has the Granny Flat or Retirement industry done that the Caravan Owners and Associations have not been able to achieve?
Why is Centrelink bending the rules so that the retirement home industry benefits.?
Is Centrelink legally allowed to discriminate against pensioners who choose a caravan over a granny flat or retirement home.?
Can disaffected caravan pensioners mount a class action against Centrelink discrimination between retirement home pensioners and poorer caravan pensioners?
What makes retirement home pensioners and granny flat pensioners more special?
Why cant self funding Caravan and Mobile home pensioners have the same asset test choices as Granny flat pensioners?
Imagine the boost the the Victorian and Australian caravan manufacturing Industry if pensioners were free to self fund their own Caravans without being persecuted by the government.
In summary pensioners who provided for their own mobile home accommodation are penalised and are only allowed a full pension if they are prepared or able to have a net worth of $135,000 less than a non home retirement home or granny flat pensioner.
We need to fix this ridiculous anomaly .
The simple answer is just let pensioners with self funded mobile homes .choose whether they want to be treated as non home owners and have there mobile home valued at its TRUE asset value ie $20,000 dollars or for those pensioners with larger mobile homes the option be treated as home owners for the purpose of the pension asset test. Exactly the same as it allows pensioners who have granny flats and retirement home places.
Note. Calculations used in this document are based on current Centrelink information.
Centrelink Information for pensioners
Base Pension $695.30 per fortnight.
Asset Test Allowance.
Family situation For Homeowners For Non-homeowners
Single $186 750 $321 750
Case Study A
Two Pensioner have $321,750 in assets and each receive a full fortnightly pension of $691.30
One pensioner chooses to live in a rental caravan , He receives his full fortnightly pension and full rent assistance.
The other pensioner buys a $10,000 caravan and moves it to a caravan park . He is now assessed as a home owner and now fails the asset test by $135,000 and His pension is automatically reduced by 187.50 per fortnight. He will receive possibly some reduced rent assistance at a reduced rate.
Pension reduction calculation.
$321,750 less $10,000 caravan total assets $311,750
Home owner asset test allowance. $186,750 $311,750 = $125,000 assets above limit.
pension Reduction of $1.50 per $1000. $125,000 / 1000 * 1.5 = $187.50 per fortnight.
Note. For pensions, assets over asset test limit amounts reduce pension by $1.50 per fortnight for every $1000 above the amount
Case Study B.
Two non-homeowner pensioners with $321,000 in assets receive full pension of a fortnight.
Pensioner one pays $30,000 for a right to a granny flat in there daughters house, and he move in.
Centrelink applies the Extra allowable amount rule and decides that they are a non home owners for asset test purposes and allows them to receive a full pension.
Pensioner two buys a $30,000 caravan and goes to live in it.
Centrelink automatically asset tests him as a home owner and reduces his pension by $157.50 a fortnight,
($321750 -$30,000 -$186,750)/1000*1.5 =105 *1.5=$157.50 a fortnight
Case Study C.
Pensioners who want to live in a $10,000 self funded caravan are only allowed 185,000 in assets making there allowable net worth 195,000 before centre link cuts there weekly pension.
Non self providing pensioners who rent a home, will get rent assistance from the government are allowed up to $335,000 in assets before centre link cuts there pension
A millionaire pensioner can buy a 1,000,000 house and have assets worth $185,000 giving a net-worth of $1,185.000 and still get a full pension,
Gday...
This has been posted on a wide range of forums. Each posting has been by a member who has minimal posts 'history'.
I suggest that rather than reacting to a confusing and not actually very enlightening long-winded information that any member who is concerned should approach the Centrellink Financian Assistance Service, make an appointment and confirm what is their OWN entitlement.
Cheers - John
As a van resident renting a site as a long-term tenant in a van park I currently qualify for full rent assistance. I am not a permanent anywhere. Always long or short term tenant. I have always been eligible for full rent assistance wherever I've parked, even when I travelled full time.
I concur with Rocky. Do not panic. Check with Centrelink about your own circumstances.
By the way, I have received my $250 to offset the carbon tax hit. What a joke?
The carbon tax is intended to go on forever, while the offset only happens once and will never happen again.
hey cg do caravan park owners , work out some sort of amount each week, say if i sold my house,
lived in a motor home/caravan for acouple years before deciding what or where to live,
can you pay say so much a fortnight or what ever ,kind of like renting i guess..
As I am contemplating buying a caravan or motorhome and living on the road I am looking at as much information as I can on doing so, and this article on another forum caught my eye.
At the invitation of the poster, I copied the article as I thought it may be of interest to those on this forum, particularly those living on the road or in caravan parks with their RV full time. See this extract from the post;
"I have attached a printable version of this document if any one wants to print it out and put it up on Caravan notice boards."
I thought it would go without saying that anyone who was concerned about the matter and wanted it clarified would contact Centrelink for more info.
I notice that Rocky Lizard also commented on the other forum, see;
http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=27279
I myself will be checking the current situation with Centrelink if and when I decide to go down that road and agree with others here that anyone concerned should do so.
CG the carbon tax payemnt of 250.00 is only part of an increase for pensioners to cover the carbon costs. The total per year is a whole 338.00 of which 250.00 is a lump sum to take us up to next March when we start getting it paid as an extra on our pensions as a permanent payment.
I bought portable Solar panels with my payment. Came in very handy for me.
They say on the website they will pay it with your normal payment during the dates of 28th May to 8th June. I got mine on Wednesday. I was talking to a couple of people up town yesterday, one had received theirs, the other hadn't although being paid mid week. I suggested they get in touch with Centrelink, They said they would see if it arrived next pension day then get in touch. Even though I explained it should all be paid by the 8th June.
I would be asking Centrelink as the dates only allow for one payment date and it should be paid.
I also got a letter announcing it had gone into my bank.
Got mine yesterday. Paid 12 months Rego. instead of 6 months this time.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Being a self funded retiree I don't qualify....pity.
Without knowing all the ins and outs, CG, I think you will find this is an annual payment.
Apart from this what's all the gripe about a carbon tax? We've paid taxes all our life and one more or less is hardly catastrophic. If there is no need for it then it's not a great burden, but if it proves there is a need then we've got in on the ground floor and it may help future generations.
It seems to me that most of us were the lucky generation, not all I know, but we had parents that grew up through the great depression went to war or kept the homefires burning. They didn't think of hitting the Grey Nomad trail and were happy to bring up their family.
Our generation was going to change the world but all I seem to here everywhere is how much we have to pay, gripes about Centrelink, politicians, public servants and anything else we can hang our hat on.
I've worked since I was fifteen, paid my taxes, a fortune in child maintenance(which I not only don't regret but was happy to pay my responsibility) and just because I don't have everything I had planned for I don't blame anyone else.
We are still in a country whre we can be Grey Nomads, not necessarilly in the rig we would prefer but able to just the same.
I'm grateful I have got that chance to get out there on the road and fulfil my dream which I know my mum would have loved.
Regards your statement above on the carbon tax payment, as I said earlier we will be receiving a fortnightly payment from March as a permanent payment. The lump sum was to take us up to March when it starts.
You're right Marj, we don't realise how lucky we are.
Milo, most parks, privately owned or council owned will have some set rents. Seasonal pressures change this in some regions eg Broome.
The long-term rent in this park is $28/night, but pay for 6 out of 7 nights, power included.
I believe permanents pay a slightly different rent, plus power.
It's exactly like renting any space anywhere else. House, unit, van park site, it's rent. You are free to come and go as in your own home. There are rules which apply to everyone in the property.
I like the security and the fact I won't be kept awake all night by my inconsiderate neighbours.
I like the lifestyle also.
When I go to work I go camping. The best of both worlds.
The carbon tax payment for a single pensioner (not part of a couple) is $250. either that or I've been overpaid, hardly likely, considering that is what the website says.
Nice to know I'm not always wrong.