What is the Carer Adjustment Payment?
The Carer Adjustment Payment scheme is currently available to families where, following a catastrophic event involving a young child aged 0-6 years, the family is going through a period of significant adjustment as a result of the care needs of the child.
The Carer Adjustment Payment is to assist families with additional costs during their adjustment period immediately after a catastrophic event. To be eligible, at least some part of the immediate adjustment period must fall on, after, or close to 1 January 2007, the scheme's start date.
Examples of catastrophic events may include (but are not limited to) a serious or severe illness or medical condition such as childhood cancer or childhood stroke, or an event such as a car accident, fire, fall, poisoning, near drowning, or other type of accident.
Who is Eligible
Families may qualify for assistance through the Carer Adjustment Payment where, following a catastrophic event:
- the child, aged 0-6 years, has a major disability, severe illness or medical condition; and
- the child has significant care requirements – that is, requires full-time care from the carer for a minimum of two months following the incident; and
- the child's carer qualifies for Carer Allowance in respect of the child; and
- the carer is not qualified for and receiving Carer Payment; and
- the carer and/or their partner is not qualified for and receiving an alternative income support payment; and
- the carer is able to demonstrate a very strong need for financial support during the adjustment period after the catastrophic event.
How much is payable?
The Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off non-taxable payment available to families in exceptional circumstances. The amount payable to a family will depend on each family's individual circumstances. The maximum amount any family can receive is $10,000 for each child in a single catastrophic event.
Making a Case
All eligible applications for the Carer Adjustment Payment are considered on a case-by-case basis by an independent panel of experts with medical, carer and payment expertise. Carers will need to present their case by setting out their circumstances and the ways in which the family needs extra support and assistance during the adjustment period.
This may include disruptions to things like the carer's capacity to work and/or the care arrangements for the child or other children in the family.
The expert panel will make a recommendation to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) based on your individual circumstances. The decision on CAP claims will be made by a senior officer in FaHCSIA.
Claim forms
For Carer Adjustment Payment claim forms:
Completed claim forms should be lodged at your local Centrelink Office.