Changes to Carer Payment
The most significant improvement is to the way qualification for Carer Payment is assessed. The assessment has changed from a narrow medical model to one that recognises the impact of the significant care provided to children with disability or medical condition. The new assessment process recognises and assesses the total care load of the carer.
Other changes include;
- more circumstances in which carers may qualify for Carer Payment, such as
- one child with severe disability or severe medical condition
- two or more children with disability or medical condition
- a disabled adult and one or more children with disability or medical condition
- access to Payment for short term or episodic periods of care of at least three months but less than six months
- more sensitive and generous arrangements for carers of children with a terminal illness
- more generous arrangements for carers of children in hospital
- automatic qualification for Carer Allowance for carers who qualify for Carer Payment
- provision for a wider range of treating health professionals to complete medical forms.
An additional 19,000 carers are expected to benefit from these improvements in the first 12 months.
For further information:
- telephone Centrelink on 13 27 17 or for TTY service 1800 810 586
- visit your nearest Centrelink office.