The Home Care Package Program is a wonderful initiative, but the application process can really put you through your paces! Especially when government jargon like “approved” and “assigned” gets thrown around.
What do these terms actually mean? And why, even after getting “approved”, does it still feel like nothing’s happening?
When it comes to Home Care Packages, being approved and being assigned are two important milestones, but they mean very different things. Let’s get to the bottom of it.
What does “approved” for a Home Care Package mean?
If you’ve been approved for a Home Care Package, this means that you’ve completed your ACAT Assessment and the assessor has decided you’re eligible to receive a package.
A couple of weeks after your assessment, you’ll receive an approval letter that confirms:
- the level of Home Care Package you’ve been approved for (level 1, 2, 3 or 4, depending on your care needs)
- that you’ve been placed in the national priority queue to wait for your package.
Your approval letter will look something like this:
Good to know: Being approved doesn’t mean you’ll start receiving services right away. Think of it as getting a ticket to join the queue. Your place in the queue depends on your level of need and the availability of funding.
What does “assigned” a Home Care Package mean?
Being assigned a Home Care Package is the next big step. This is when you move from waiting in the queue to having access to the funding and services you need. My Aged Care will send you an assignment letter, which is your green light to start using your package.
This letter will include:
- your unique referral code, which you’ll need to give to your chosen provider
- instructions for getting started, including the timeframe you have to activate your package.
Your assignment letter will look something like this:
Fast fact: Once assigned, you have 56 days to enter a Home Care Agreement with your chosen provider. Otherwise, your Home Care Package may be assigned to someone else!
The wait between approval and assignment
The tricky part for many people is the waiting period between being approved and being assigned a package. This wait can vary depending on the level of care you need and how urgent your situation is, but it can still range from months to over a year. If your needs change during the waiting period, you can request a reassessment to ensure you’re still matched to the right level of care.
Pro tip: Don’t wait until you’ve been assigned your Home Care Package to choose a provider. About 3 months before your package arrives, My Aged Care will send a letter advising you to get ready. Use this time to research providers and choose one that you trust to manage and deliver your care services.
Get in touch with CareAbout to make this process quick and easy!
Key takeaways
- Being approved means you’re eligible for a Home Care Package and in the queue.
- Being assigned means you can now start accessing care and services.
- Keep an eye on your letters from My Aged Care (maybe pop them on the fridge!), as they’ll guide you through each step.
