Initial contact and claims by a carer 009-01010000

CP is an income support payment for a carer providing constant care in the home of the care receiver. It is income and asset tested both for the carer and care receiver.

For more information, see Eligibility for Carer Payment (CP) and/or Carer Allowance (CA).

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. It can be paid in addition to wages or an income support payment.

CA is:

• income tested
• not taxable
• not asset tested

Note: the CA income test does not affect the rate of CA.

For more information, see Eligibility for Carer Payment (CP) and/or 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 an Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card (EHC) 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 a EHC when they turn 16 years of age.

CAP is a one-off payment for families where, following a catastrophic event involving a child under 7 years of age, there is a period of significant adjustment because 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.