Assessing a claim for Carer Allowance (CA) using the combined assessment scores of two children 009-03040010

Assessment of CA is limited to combining the scores of a maximum of 2 children, unlike Carer Payment (CP) (child), which can use the combined scores of up to 4 children.

A person may qualify for CA if they have 2 children in their care and both children are disabled, but individually neither child reaches the necessary rating on the DCLAD 2020 in their own right.

Generally, carers will apply for full CA for each child and if neither qualifies in their own right and the carer does not receive CP which qualifies them for CA (auto), the delegate will make a combined assessment. The carer will qualify for CA if, when combined, the disabilities of these children have a significant impact on the carer and have been given a:

• DCLAD 2020 Treating Health Professional (THP) score greater than 0 for each child, and
• a combined Care Needs Assessment (CNA) score of 85 or greater

A CNA questionnaire can only contribute to the overall score if the total score for that CNA questionnaire is 20 or more under the DCLAD.

A person who qualifies for CA on the combined assessment scores will be paid as if they had only one CA (child). This means that the fortnightly rate of CA will be the rate payable for one child.

A Disability Care Load Assessment Determination (DCLAD) 2020 must be completed for each care receiver as part of the claim for CP and/or CA.