Carer Payment (CP) (child) terminal illness 009-04070070

For the purposes of CP (child), a terminal condition is where a child under 16 years has a terminal condition and is not expected to live more than 24 months.

Where a medical practitioner has certified the child care receiver has a terminal condition, they do not need to undergo the Disability Care Load Assessment (child) Determination (DCLAD) and are granted CP automatically, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.

CA (auto) is automatically payable for each child care receiver for the period for which the carer is paid CP (child) for that care receiver, where the carer is not already receiving CA (child) for the care receiver/s under the standard CA provisions.

This means CA (auto) may be payable even if the standard provisions for CA (child) are not met. For instance, the condition is expected to last for at least 6 months but not 12 months; or the child is not a dependent child of the carer.

When a child care receiver turns 16 years of age they are considered an adult for social security purposes. Carers current on CP (child) and CA (auto) under the terminal illness criteria, will remain on CP and CA (auto) and can remain payable up until the day the care receiver turns 18 years.

Eligible carers are sent a Child to Adult Transfer (CTAT) invitation letter when their child care receiver turns 17 years and 9 months, inviting them to apply to transfer by the due date if they want their entitlement to be assessed under adult provisions. See Carer Payment (CP) and/or Carer Allowance (CA) Child to Adult Transfer (CTAT).

CTAT paper forms lodged from 1 July 2018 (where CP has already been cancelled), are deemed as a new claim from the date they are submitted.

A Treating Health Professional (THP) may complete the medical report form, however, they must provide the contact details (including the provider number if available) of the medical practitioner who has assessed and certified the terminal condition for Services Australia's verification purposes.

If the care receiver is 16 years or over at the time the terminal illness is certified by a medical practitioner, the care receiver will be assessed under the CP (adult) terminal illness provisions.

For the purposes of CP and CA (adult) a terminal condition is where a person aged 16 years or over is in the final phase of a terminal illness and is not expected to live more than 3 months.

Where a medical practitioner has certified the adult care receiver is terminally ill, they do not need to undergo the ADAT assessment, as they are granted payment automatically, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.