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Carers and family who are financially disadvantaged
Many carers don’t apply for financial assistance, because they’re unsure of who to contact or they’re put off by the procedures. Either that or they see their role as a duty and feel embarrassed about asking for assistance. If this describes your situation, you could be losing out on money that the government has specifically allocated for helping people in your situation.
For example, if you’re financially disadvantaged the government can help you and the person you care for providing subsidised services such as:
- Centrelink
- Financial hardship assistance
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (more information)
- Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs or ACAS) (more information)
- Home and Community Care Program (HACC) (more information)
- Community Aged Care Package Program (CACP) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) (more information)
- Veterans’ Home Care (more information)
- Day Therapy Centres (more information)
- Transition Care Program (more information)
- Legal Aid
Centrelink
- Carer Payment can provide you with income support if you are unable to support yourself through substantial paid employment because you are caring for someone aged 16 years or over on a daily basis who has a severe disability, medical condition or who is frail aged.
- Carer Allowance Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment that may be available if you are a parent or carer who provides daily care and attention for a person aged 16 years or over with a disability, medical condition or who is frail aged.
- Age Pension If you have reached retirement age, Age Pension ensures you have an adequate income in your retirement.
- Disability Support Pension is available to people who are unable to work for at least two years because of a disability.
- Mobility Allowance assists people with disabilities who are involved in qualifying activities and cannot use public transport without substantial assistance.
- Rent Assistance is also available if you receive the Carer Payment and pay rent for private accommodation.
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) entitles you to reduced cost medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). You may also be entitled to various concessions from the Australian Government.
- Health Care Card (HCC) entitles you to cheaper medicines and other concessions.
Read more: Financial support for carers
Financial hardship assistance
Under the Aged Care Act 1997 there are provisions for people in aged care homes who have difficulty paying care fees and accommodation payments.People applying for financial hardship assistance may need help with their daily fees, the income-tested fee, the accommodation charge, or the accommodation bond. Where assistance is granted, the Australian Government pays an additional supplement so that the aged care home is not disadvantaged.
The application form for financial hardship can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing website.
Read more: Financially disadvantaged people in aged care homes
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs or ACAS)
Aged Care Assessment Teams/Services will help you access all the services your family member is eligible for after they’ve met with you and discussed their needs.Read more: Being assessed
Home and Community Care (HACC) program
If your family member requires some basic help at home, the HACC program can assist by supporting their independence at home and in the community. Special arrangements may be made if they cannot afford to pay.Read more: About the Home and Community Care program
Community Aged Care Package (CACP)
This service provides a tailored, planned and managed package of community care services, including help with housework, shopping and personal care. Your family member may be asked to pay a fee if they’re able to contribute to the cost of care, but they won’t be denied this service if they cannot afford to pay. (This fee cannot exceed 17.5 per cent of the maximum basic rate of pension, excluding the GST compensation supplement).Read more: About Community Aged Care Package
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
These packages are individually planned and coordinated according to the complexity of your family member’s home care needs. They may be asked to pay a fee for an EACH package of care (GST free). However, as with CACP (above), fees must not exceed 17.5 per cent of the maximum basic rate of pension, and the person you care for will not be denied a service that they need based on an inability to pay.Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD)
If you or someone you care for needs assistance because of behavioural problems associated with dementia, the EACHD program can provide high level care through an individually tailored package. The amount charged forms part of an agreement between you and the service provider. However, if the person you care for cannot pay the fee, they will not be denied a service that they need.Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia
Veterans’ Home Care
Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) (more information) services are similar to Home and Community Care (HACC) services. They include domestic assistance, personal care, home and garden maintenance and respite care. Veterans and war widows/widowers are expected to pay a small co-payment for all services provided through Veterans’ Home Care, except for respite care. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) also provides financial assistance for eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and their dependants, including respite finance for their carers.Read more: Programs for veterans
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
If you have a family member or friend who helps you to continue living at home, you may also be interested in respite care opportunities, which give you and your carer the chance to take a short break. For information call 1800 200 422.Read more: About the National Respite for Carers Program
Read more: Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Day Therapy Centres
These centres provide you with a wide range of therapy services such as physiotherapy and other therapies. There may be a fee for services provided by Day Therapy Centres. However, your family member will not be denied access to services based on an inability to pay.Read more: Day Therapy Centres
Transition Care Program
The Transition Care Program has been designed to help you improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay. The program will provide low-intensity therapy and support as part of an ongoing but slower recovery process, giving you time to determine what level of care you will require in the future.Access to transition care is decided on a needs basis, not on your ability to pay fees. In determining your ability to pay fees, your transition care provider takes into account your other unavoidable expenses such as high pharmaceutical bills or fees that you still need to pay to your aged care home.
Read more: Transition Care Program
Legal aid
Legal aid provides a range of services for people who are unable to meet the costs of resolving a legal problem. These services may include advice, information, representation and negotiation.Common questions on this topic:
- Do we have to pay for services provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program?
- I'm not sure that I will be able to afford any form of care to help me in my home. What can I do?
- If I have to give up work to help my mother who is getting very frail, how will I manage financially?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions