Understanding My Agedcare

Grants

As Industry leaders, we often get asked for advising and guidance in receiving Government Assistance. There are several different Government Grants and Schemes that can be accessed. There are quite a few different options, and it can be quite tricky to determine what you may be eligible for. To try and make it a little bit easier, we have provided some information on the larger schemes. Please keep in mind that these change frequently and that the information on the page may not be up-to-date.

Read through our handy NDIS & Government Grants Guide. Motobility Government Grants (Digital)

Home Care Packages

Home Care Packages (HCP) are a way that older Australian can access affordable services to get assistance around the home. These are designed to cater for more complex needs and can include allowances for Assistive Technology (AT) at higher levels.

The HCP’s have been divided into four levels. Based on an assessment, it will be determined what level care is applicable, and services and funds will be allocated accordingly. The table below will give you an overview of the different Levels and their inclusions

Eligibility

Eligibility is determined through a two-step assessment process, which assists in creating an understanding of your needs and what services will help you on a day to day basis to stay living independently in your home. The first step is a phone call, which is then followed by an in-person assessment.

To start the process, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Ensure you have your Medicare card ready and allow 10 minutes for the call. You will be asked a few questions about your needs and circumstances, such as questions on 

• Your health,
• How you are managing at home
• Any support you are currently receiving, including help from family and friends
  
  

If you feel nervous about the call, you can have a family member or friend assist you during the call if they have your consent, they can also talk on your behalf. You can also appoint a representative on an ongoing basis to speak with My Aged Care on your behalf.

After the call has been concluded the information that you have supplied will be used to assess if you are eligible for a face-to-face assessment. The in-person assessment will assist in determining precisely what you need and inform you about the different services that are currently available. If you have immediate/urgent needs, you may be directly referred to services before your assessment takes place.

If it has been determined that you are eligible for an in-home assessment, you will receive. There are two assessments

1. In-home support assessment with Regional Assessment Service (RAS)
   If it sounds like you are in need o low-level support to assist you in staying independent in your home, you may be recommended to receive a RAS assessment. This will lead you down the Commonwealth Home Support Programme pathway. 
   
   
2. A comprehensive assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
   This assessment is more in-depth and is used to provide you access to

• Home Care Packages
• Short-term care options
• Aged care homes

Regardless of which assessment you have been recommended, it is a good idea to be prepared for the assessment to allow it to run smoothly and be less stressful. You can have a support person present during the evaluation; this can be an excellent idea as they may think of different questions to ask and may have a different perspective. Also, try and have the below information ready at hand

• Your Medicare card plus one other form of ID such as a DVA card, healthcare card, passport or current drivers license
• Have a copy of any doctor referrals
• Contact details of your GP and any other healthcare professionals that you see regularly
• Think about all the support you currently receive, making a list is an excellent idea
• Think about any questions that you may have and note them down, to ensure none get missed
  
  

During the Assessment, you may be required to complete some paperform as well as provide some information about yourself and your circumstances. If you have an ACAT assessment, you will be required to fill out a form, which is an Application for Care form. Regardless of which assessment you are having the Assessor will have a copy of the information that you have supplied during the phone call making it easier to get started and eliminating the need for you to repeat yourself. They will ask you questions about

• Any supports you are currently receiving and if these can continue
• Your concerns, lifestyle and current health
• Which daily task you enjoy and complete and which are becoming too difficult
• If you have problems remembering things
• Any issues relating to your home and personal safety
• Any family and community activities that you are attending or would like to be attending and issues that may currently stop you from attending these
• Contact your GP or health professionals
  
  

The Assessor may also supply you with the possible costs of your services.

You will work with your Assessor to develop a support plan, which records what you have discussed and agreed upon during the meeting. This will include items such as 

• Your strengths
• Your main struggles
• What your goals are and what you want to achieve
• What your service preferences are

Ensure you ask the assessor any question you may have to ensure you are very clear on what is available and to be able to communicate your preferences. Some of these questions maybe

• Are there any supports available for my current carer/carers?
• Are there service providers that speak particular languages or have specific religious or cultural beliefs?
• How to get in touch after the assessment
  
  

Costs

If you can afford to contribute, you are expected to do so. Your contribution is made up of three types of fees:

1. Basic daily fee (up to 10.54 per day)
   You may be required to pay a basic daily fee based on the HCP level you are currently receiving
   
   
2. Income-tested care fee (up to $30.25 per day)
   You may also be subject to a means-tested fee. If you have to pay it and how much you have to pay, will depend on a formal income assessment that will be conducted by the Department of Human Services. If you are asked to pay this fee, it’s good to know that there are annual limits as well as lifetime limits on how much you can be asked to contribute.
   
   
3. Additional fees
   These are any other fees that you have agreed you would pay for services that aren’t covered by your HCP.

To find out more about the fees or try to home-care fee calculator you can visit the My Aged Care website here 

Waiting Periods

Standard processing/waiting times apply to get the HCP approved. Packages are allocated, based on the approval date shown in the letter sent to you by the Aged Care Assessment Team ( ACAT). You will also be assigned a priority level, based on the urgency of your needs. Standard current waiting times (based on the latest revision, 31May 2019) are outlined in the table below.

If there are urgent care needs will be flagged as a high priority, This ensures they get access to care quicker. You can check on your place in the queue my locking into your client records using MyGov or calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

If you need to get care sooner, there are a few different options that you can explore.

1. Apply for an Interim package
   This is an HCP of a lower level than the one you’re approved to receive. Waiting periods can be shorter for lower levels. Agreeing to receive an Interim package will let you keep your place in the queue, but will allow you access to some services while you wait. 
   
   Expected waiting periods for Interim package are as below

2. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP assists senior Australians in accessing entry-level support services to live independently and safely in their homes. To find out more about the CHSP click here

3. Private services

This may be an option if you need care while waiting for your application to be processed, these services aren’t subsidised or regulated by the Australian Government, and you will have to pay the full cost to access these services, regardless of your care needs or financial situation. To find out more about Private Services click here