Residential aged care is playing an increasing role in helping many older Australians enjoy comfortable and carefree lives. However, one of the tasks for anyone assisting an elderly relative with the move into aged care is to investigate the various fees and charges, some of which are subject to both assets and income means tests. As the family home is often the largest asset and can be a source of income if rented out, it’s particularly important to understand how it is treated in relation to these tests[1].
Assets test
For individuals entering aged care the value of the family home is not counted as an asset if it is occupied by:
- a partner or dependent children,
- a carer who is eligible for government income support and who has been living there for at least two years, or
- a close relative who is eligible for income support and has been living there for at least five years.
However, even if that is not the case, the value of the family home that is counted as an asset is capped at $168,351.20 (as at 20 March 2019). If the actual value is less than the cap then market value applies.
For a couple where neither partner is living in the family home, half of the net market value of the home will be included as an asset for each of them, up to the cap.
Income test
For people who entered aged care between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2015, rent on the family home is exempt from the income test only if they are paying some level of daily accommodation payment.
Where aged care commenced after 1 January 2016, net rental income is assessable.
Split by health
Eric, 85, and Wendy, 87, own a home valued at $650,000. In June 2018 poor health made it necessary for Eric to move into aged care. Wendy remained in the family home so the house was exempt from the assets test, and as there was no rental income, there was no impact on the income test.
Reunited
In November 2018 Wendy’s increasing frailty also saw her entering residential care, fortunately in the same facility as Eric. Their former home was rented out and became assessable as an asset. As the value of the home is more than twice the current cap, they each have $168,351.20 included in their assessed assets.
Under the income test, half the net rental income is applied to each of their assessments.
Expert help
Aged care is a complex area requiring important decisions to be made
at a time of high emotional stress. Expert advice can help to reduce that
stress so talk to your qualified financial adviser early in the process of
moving a loved one into aged care. It will make everything just that little bit
easier for all concerned.
[1] Note that there are some important differences in the way the family home is assessed by Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for aged pension or DVA pension purposes. This article only covers the rules that apply to aged care.