Carers of disabled children will receive a fairer deal as a result of expanded eligibility for Carer Payment (child). This will provide much-needed support for around 19,000 additional carers.
The Government will implement a new assessment process to determine eligibility for Carer Payment (child) based on the amount of care required, rather than the rigid medical criteria currently used to assess eligibility for the payment. Carers of children will also be able to access the payment on a short‑term or 'per episode' basis.
In recognition that the caring role does not end simply because a child is admitted to hospital, the Government will remove the limit on the number of days a child can remain in hospital before payment ceases.
These changes will result in a much larger number of carers receiving Carer Payment (child). These changes will apply from 1 July 2009.
The Government has also allocated $20 million over four years to assist families who need support to care for a young child diagnosed with a major disability or injury.
People with disabilities will benefit from $100 million to be provided to the States in June 2008 to build new supported accommodation. Coupled with this, the Government will transfer $900 million to the States for ongoing disability services.
An additional 19,000 carers of children with severe disability are expected to access Carer Payment (child) in 2009‑10
A better assessment process
Laura's son Andrew is blind, deaf and unable to speak, he cannot walk and cannot use his hands. Under the current rules, Andrew is not classed as a 'profoundly disabled child' because his condition did not meet three of the required conditions on the medical report. As a result, Laura is not eligible for Carer Payment even though she spends all day, every day, looking after Andrew, which makes it impossible for her to gain employment.
The Government's changes to the assessment process for Carer Payment (child) will ensure that carers like Laura are not denied support through such rigid medical criteria.