Initial contact by a carer 009-01010000

CP is an income support payment for carers who, because of the demands of their caring role, are unable to support themselves through substantial paid employment.

This payment is income and assets tested, both for the carer and the person they care for.

To be eligible for CP, a carer must be providing constant care (care each day for a significant period, equivalent to a normal working day). Care must be provided in the home of the care receiver.

Note: the carer is not required to live with the care receiver.

There are provisions for a carer to continue to be paid CP during temporary absences from care for respite and hospitalisation,

Carers granted CP for a child will also be paid CA (auto) for the child. However, carers claiming CP for a child should be encouraged to also claim CA (manual) in case their CP claim is rejected or cancelled. They will then not have to claim CA separately.

For more information, see Eligibility for Carer Payment (CP).

CA is an income supplement for people who provide additional daily care and attention for an adult or child with a disability or medical condition, or an adult who is frail aged.

CA is not taxable or assets tested. There is an income test. To be eligible for CA, the carer's and their partner's combined adjusted taxable income must be under $250,000 a year. This includes deemed amount from account-based income streams if the account holder is 60 years of age or older. The same income limit applies if the carer does not have a partner.

The income test does not affect the rate of CA that is paid.

CA can be paid in addition to wages or an income support payment. The CA income test does not apply to carers who are exempt from providing their income details.

Care must be provided in a private home, generally the home of the carer or care receiver.

Note: the carer is not required to live with the care receiver for CA (adult).

• CA for child care receiver provides 2 levels of assistance, depending on the DCLAD score:
• Health Care Card (HCC) only (in the name of the child)
• fortnightly payment and HCC
• CA for an adult care receiver (over 16 years of age) is a fortnightly payment

CA can be shared between 2 carers (who are not members of the same couple) if they both regularly provide care and attention to the same care receiver.

There are provisions for a carer to continue to be paid during temporary absences from care for respite and hospitalisation.

Carers enquiring about CA should be advised they may also be eligible for CP. If the care receiver is aged 16 years or over, the care receiver may also be eligible for an income support payment.

For information, see Eligibility for Carer Allowance (CA).

Carer Payment (CP)

CP recipients automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), unless they qualify under short term or episodic care provisions for a child under 16 years of age in which case they receive a Health Care Card (HCC).

Carer Allowance (CA)

CA recipients for adult care receivers do not automatically receive a HCC. If they do not already have a PCC or HCC, they may test their qualification for a Low Income Health Care Card (LIC).

All CA (child) care receivers are eligible for a HCC in their name in addition to any PCC or HCC held by the carer.

If a (child) care receiver does not qualify their carer for payment of CA, they may be entitled to a HCC only CA to help with the cost of medications.

Full-time students may be entitled to and Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card if they held a Carer Allowance HCC on the day before they turned 16 years of age.

Ex CA (child) care receivers may be eligible for an Ex-Carer Allowance (child) Health Care Card (EHC) when they turn 16 years of age.

CAP is a one-off payment for families where, following a catastrophic event involving a young child under 7 years of age, there is a period of significant adjustment as a result of the care needs of the child. CAP helps families with additional costs during the adjustment period immediately after the diagnosis.

Claims for CAP must be lodged within 2 years from date of diagnosis of a severe illness, medical condition or major disability following the catastrophic event.

For more information, see Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP) for carers of young children.

CS is an annual payment to help carers with the costs of caring for a person with a disability or medical condition.

It is paid on 1 July to carers receiving an eligible payment which includes CP and CA.

For more information, see Carer Supplement (CS).

CDAP is an annual payment to help carers with the costs of caring for a child with a disability.

It is paid to carers who received CA for a child under 16 for a period that includes 1 July.

For more information, see Annual Child Disability Assistance Payment (CDAP).