We recognise that financial pressures can be difficult for any family, and even more so for parents and carers of children with disability or medical conditions.
Balancing the extra costs of medical appointments, therapies, travel, and specialised equipment alongside everyday expenses can feel overwhelming and it’s completely understandable to feel this way.
Please know that you are not alone in this journey. Support is available, and we’re here to help. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of financial resources that you may be eligible for from the government and other sources.
Take a moment to explore the resources below and find the support that’s right for you and your family.
Centrelink payments
Carer Allowance
Carers Allowance is for Australian residents who live in Australia and give ongoing care to someone with a disability or medical condition. There is no assets test but there is an income test of less than $250,000 per financial year for you and your partner.
Carer Payment
Carer Payment is a payment if you give constant care to someone who has a disability or medical condition. There are different rates of Carer Payment for single and partnered people and you must be under the pension income and assets test limits.
Child Disability Assistance Payment
Child Disability Assistance Payment is an automatic payment that’s typically paid at the start of the new financial year. You’ll receive this if you get Carer Allowance for looking after a child with a disability or medical condition younger than 16 years for a period that includes 1 July.
Carer Supplement
Carer Supplement is paid annually if you care for a person with a disability or medical condition. You must get certain payments from Services Australia to get it. This payment doesn’t add to your taxable income.
Carer Adjustment Payment
Carer Adjusted Payment is a one-off payment to support families following a catastrophic event where a child younger than seven is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition and requires full-time care.
Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
An Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme is a group of payments for parents and carers of children who can’t go to a local state school. This could be because of geographical isolation, disability, or special needs.
Essential Medical Equipment Payment
The Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP) is a yearly payment to help with energy costs to run essential medical equipment or heating or cooling used for medical needs.
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is a yearly non-taxable payment to cover some of the cost of products to help manage incontinence. To get this, your child must be five years or older, have permanent and severe incontinence confirmed by a registered health professional, and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have permanent residency rights. You cannot receive this payment if you get continence support through NDIS.
Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy
Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy is a financial assistance for persons with thermoregulatory dysfunction, or their dependants, to offset energy costs for controlling the temperature in their home.
Concession cards and more
Health Care Card
A Health Care Card is a concession card to get subsidised medicines and some discounts if you get a payment from Services Australia.
Low-income Health Care Card
A Low-income Health Care Card is a concession card to get cheaper health care and some discounts if you’re on a low income.
Companion Card
The Companion Card Program supports Western Australians with a significant and permanent disability who require attendant care support to participate in community venues and events. Companion Cardholders show their card when booking a ticket from a participating business and will be issued a second ticket for their companion at no charge. Companion Cards can also be used interstate.
Foster Child Health Care Card
A Foster Child Health Care Card is a concession card to get cheaper medicines and some discounts for a foster child in your care who is not biological or adopted.
Pensioner Concession Card
A Pensioner Concession Card is a concession card to get cheaper health care, medicines, and some discounts if you get certain payments from Services Australia. Foster care can be both formal and informal care arrangements.
Concessions available in WA
Concessions available in WA is an easy-to-use online resource where you can search by category to find details on more than 100 rebates, concessions, and subsidy schemes provided by the Government of Western Australia, including:
- Accommodation and housing
- Arts and culture
- Education, training and employment
- Health and disability
- Household bills and appliances
- Legal
- Regional
- Seniors
- Sports and recreation
- Tourism
- Travel and transport
Special Disability Trusts
The Special Disability Trusts is a way for families to plan for the long-term care and accommodation needs of someone with a severe disability.
If you need additional guidance with financial support, whether it’s understanding who covers what costs, or assistance with applying for an NDIS Plan for your child, our Peer Navigators are here to help.
You’re welcome to book a free, one-on-one Pathway Planning session with us to explore options for your child and family.
Click here to book a Pathway Planning session with us.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
