Hi,

Is it possible to get Newstart Allowance if you own a few IPs.

This is for my daughter who has been teaching overseas, and is coming back in a few months. She owns 3 negatively geared IPs, one is PPOR, though she needs all 3 to be rented out to cover loans, and would live with parents short term.

Both the income and asset values (after costs/loans) satisfy Centrelink rules. Yet when I phoned them the lady seemed unsure that daughter could get Newstart at all.

She just wants it for a few months till she can get a teaching job.

The Centrelink lady at first said it was possible, but on hearing she had 3 IPs, she balked and said she would be expected to sell one to get income. I don't see what relevance the number of IPs is myself.

To sell an IP would of course take some time and she only needs a bit of short term help (and does not want to sell off her future nest eggs).

I have heard of other people getting Newstart who own IPs, and wonder if anyone can share their experiences or any other advice.

How hard was it. Did you have more than one IP?

There is a Centrelink Real Estate form that can be filled out etc, so I believe it IS possible. I have found that Centrelink staff vary on what they know, so after waiting for up to an hour to speak to them, it depends on who you get, and the one I got was not that knowledgeable.

Any advice you can give is very welcome.

Thanks

Seaview