Assessing Carer Payment (CP) when the care is shared 009-04050010

This includes carers currently receiving CP who start sharing the care of the care receiver with another carer, and new carers claiming CP who already share the care of the care receiver (pre-existing arrangement).

This must not be confused with CP for 2 or more carers in respect of the same care receiver or shared care for Carer Allowance (CA).

When determining eligibility for CP and/or CA, it should be noted that 'shared care' for CP/CA and 'shared care' for Family Tax Benefit (FTB) are not the same:

• shared care determinations made for CA and CP fall under the Social Security Act 1991
• shared care determinations made for FTB fall under the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999

It is important that these decisions are coded on the correct screens as different rates of payment may apply if making a decision under social security law and family assistance law.

If a carer is in receipt of CP for a care receiver and they start sharing the care of the care receiver, the temporary cessation of care (respite) (TCC) provisions will apply to CP while the care receiver is in the care of the other person. Once all TCC is utilised, CP will be cancelled.

For TCC purposes a 'day' must include an overnight stay. Customers only need to tell us about the time the care receiver is out of their care if the absence includes a whole 24 hour period, that is, 12:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight to midnight).

Part days do not count in the calculation of TCC absences for CP.

Constant care is required to be provided on a daily basis from the start date of the CP claims. In limited circumstances, CP can be granted when the care is already shared at the start date of the claim.