Support at Home Packages and Carer Allowance

Do you provide care for someone?

If you are a primary carer (provide daily care) for someone who has a Support at Home package, you are eligible for carer allowance.

What is carer allowance?

Carer allowance is a fortnightly payment given to those who are caring for somebody who is “frail aged”. It is not subject to an asset assessment but as of February 2018, it does involve an income test.

In order to receive this payment, you and the person you are caring for must meet certain criteria:

• You must both be Australian residents
• You must be providing care in their home, your home, or in hospital
• Their care needs must score high enough on the Adult Disability Assessment Determination (ADAT)
• They must have these care needs for at least 12 months
• You (as the carer) must meet an income test
• Your income (combined with your partners, if applicable) must be less than $250,000 per annum

Adult Disability Assessment Determination (ADAT)

The ADAT contains two questionnaires, one of which is to be answered by you as the carer and the other to be answered by a Health Professional. Your questionnaire relates to the amount of care required for certain activities such as mobility, communication, hygiene, eating and management in a range of cognitive and behavioural areas. Your responses, combined with the responses of the Health Professional, are used to calculate a score indicating the level of care needed.

For more information on how to answer the ADAT, click here.

Can I receive both Carer Allowance and Carer Payment?

Yes! If your carer duties are full time and mean that you are unable to work in “substantial paid employment”, you can also receive the Carer Payment.

On top of Carer Allowance and Carer Payment, there is also a Carer Supplement! This is an annual lump sum payment which helps with the costs of caring. Plus, if you’re receiving either a Carer Payment or a Carer Allowance, you’ll automatically receive the Carer Supplement as well.

How much money will I receive?

If your combined family income is less than $250,000, you will receive $131.90 per fortnight through Carer Allowance (as at March 2020). If you care for more than one person, you may be eligible to receive more than one allowance.

If you are a full-time carer and receive the Carer Payment, you will receive a maximum of $860.60 (as a single person) or $1,297.40 (as a couple) per fortnight.

With the Carer Supplement, you will receive up to $600 per year for each person in your care.

Carer Payment Eligibility Tool

Our Carer Payment Eligibility tool helps you work out if you may qualify for government support based on your personal circumstances and the level of care you provide. By filling in a few details, you’ll get an estimate of your potential eligibility and payments, giving you a better sense of what assistance may be available.

About You (The Carer)

Your Age ?

Are you an Australian resident? Please select Yes No

How many hours of care do you provide per week? ?

Include all direct care: personal care, meals, medication, transport, appointments, emotional support

Include all care activities, even if they seem small

How many hours of paid work do you do per week? ?

Carer Payment limits paid work to 25 hours per week

About the Person You Care For

Your relationship to them ? Please select Partner/Spouse Parent Child Brother/Sister Grandparent Other family member Friend

Their age

Level of care needs ? Please select Profound – Need help with everything, all the time Severe – Need help with most things, most of the time Moderate – Need help with some things, some of the time Mild – Need occasional help or supervision

Consider their ability to manage daily activities without help

Is their condition permanent? ? Please select Yes, permanent Temporary Not sure

Living & Care Arrangements

Do you live with the person you care for? Please select Yes No

Are you currently receiving any other government payments? Please select Yes No

Financial Information (Optional)

This helps us estimate your payment amount more accurately

Your annual income (before tax) ?

Your annual income before tax, including all sources

Your partner’s annual income (if applicable)

Total assessable assets ?

Do you own your home? Please select Yes No

Check Eligibility

Your Eligibility Results

We endeavour to keep this calculator as up-to-date as possible. Please do not use this calculator in isolation to make decisions about aged care. If you have any questions, call us on 13 13 00 or contact My Aged Care directly.

How do I apply?

Click here to apply for Carer Payment

Click here to apply for Carer Allowance

With CareAbout, quality Home Care is just a click away!