LETTER: Issues with Special Disability Trusts

DEAR News Of The  Area,

FOR many years, I have provided professional advice and assistance to families raising children with disabilities.

As parents age, one of their greatest concerns is who will care for their son or daughter when they are no longer able to do so.

My wife and I are now facing this reality ourselves.

Our son is 35 years old, and we are both in our mid-sixties. Meeting his ongoing needs, including dietary management, physiotherapy, medication, accommodation, and coordination with NDIS providers, requires significant planning and daily commitment.

As disabilities become more severe, the complexity of care increases, and there inevitably comes a time when parents can no longer meet those demands.

I believe there is a significant flaw in the way housing is provided through a Special Disability Trust (SDT).

Many parents wish to transfer the family home into an SDT to secure their adult child’s long-term accommodation.

While this attracts valuable tax and Centrelink concessions, the approved SDT structure permits only one primary beneficiary to occupy the home.

As a result, parents cannot continue living there to provide the care and support their child still requires.

My wife and I are considering converting our home into a Supported Independent Living (SIL) residence, providing accommodation for our son and another person with a disability.

If this arrangement were permitted within an SDT, it could increase much-needed disability housing options. Unfortunately, the single-beneficiary rule prevents this outcome.

For many years, parents and professionals have advocated for a review of this restriction.

One alternative is for parents to purchase a separate property and gift it to the SDT, but this is beyond the financial reach of most families.

I will continue advocating for reform of the SDT rules to better meet the long-term housing and care needs of Australians living with disability.

Regards,

Rodney Fox.