You may be able to ask for part of your exit entitlement to be paid directly to an aged care provider for daily accommodation payments (DAP). A DAP is a non-refundable daily payment a resident may pay to cover their accommodation costs.
A refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) cannot be paid from your exit entitlement. A RAD is an upfront lump-sum payment for a room in a residential aged care facility. It is refundable when you leave care.
Who can ask their operator to pay daily accommodation payments for their aged care
You may be eligible if you:
- hold a lease for life or a licence under a residence contract
- you are entitled to an exit entitlement
- everyone living in your home with has moved out
- you have moved into an aged care facility, or are approved to move into one
- you have chosen to pay aged care costs as DAP.
You are not eligible if you:
- own a lot in a strata scheme, purple title or community title
- you rent your unit in a village.
You can use the eligibility flowchart below to check if you can ask your operator to pay DAP for your aged care.
How much of the exit entitlement can be paid towards DAP
You can ask your operator for up to 85% of your unpaid exit entitlement to be paid towards your aged care DAP.
When can you request the DAP
You can make the request:
- before moving into an aged care facility
- within 60 days of entering the aged care facility.
How to request the DAP
You must provide the village operator with a:
- request for operator to pay DAP form
- a supporting statement from the aged care provider.
The statement must identify:
- the date you moved into the aged care facility, or approved date to enter
- the DAP amount
- when the payments are due
- account details to pay the DAP.
You should give the completed form to the village operator or manager. Keep a copy for your own records.
There is no fee to make the DAP request.
When do operators have to pay the DAP
An operator that is required to make DAP payment/s must make the first payment within 28 days of (whichever is later):
- receiving the completed form
- the resident entering the aged care facility.
When operators can stop payments
Operators can stop payments if:
- the resident asks them to stop payments
- the resident dies
- 85% of the entitlement has been paid
- the operator has an extension or exemption.
