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Hospitalisation reviews for Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA) for a child under 16 years 009-08040030

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This document outlines the changes to hospitalisation reviews. There is no limit on the number of days a child can be hospitalised for the carer to retain eligibility for CP and CA, as long as the carer is providing additional care and attention on a regular and ongoing basis.

Payable during hospitalisation

For adults or children who are hospitalised, the carer may qualify for payment if the claim is made while the care receiver is in hospital. This includes babies who have not been home since birth and care receivers who have a terminal illness.

12 week review

Carers paid CP and/or CA for a child who is hospitalised are reviewed every 12 weeks (84 days) of continuous hospitalisation using a Review of Carer Payment and Carer Allowance while your child is in hospital (SA396) pre-populated form.

The purpose of hospitalisation reviews is to verify that:

  • the child continues to be hospitalised
  • the carer continues to participate in the care of the child, and
  • it is intended the child will return to the care of the carer upon discharge from hospital

Hospitalisation reviews also provide an opportunity for Services Australia to identify whether any additional assistance can be offered to the carer.

Note: child hospitalisation reviews are to be processed in Customer First or Customer Record.

24 month full care and medical review

After 24 months of continuous hospitalisation, a care load review is undertaken. The care load review is then repeated every 12 months whilst the care receiver is continuously hospitalised. For example, if the child has been in hospital continuously for 36 months, care load and medical review including completion of a Care Needs Assessment (CNA) and medical report is required.

The Resources page contains the relevant review forms to be issued every 12 weeks for 24 months, at 24 months and then every 12 months of continuous hospitalisation and a guide to Upload your Centrelink documents online on the Services Australia website.

Carer or care receiver is absent from care for Carer Payment (CP) and/or Carer Allowance (CA)

Recognised disability medical reviews for Carer Allowance (CA) (child)

Carer Allowance (CA) (child) Health Care Card (HCC) only reviews

How to code and action a manual review