Temporary cessation of care (respite) for more than 63 days 009-06010090

Different provisions apply if the care receiver has been in hospital; see Temporary cessation of care (respite) and hospitalisation (CLK).

Generally, a decision to continue payment on the basis of a special reason would only be made if the reason for ceasing care was outside the control of the carer and consistent with the need for, and provision of, personal care and attention. It should be clear in these situations that a return to home care at the required level can be expected after a definite period and that the carer will resume providing the care.

For example, a special reason could exist where the care receiver required occasional periods of hospitalisation which exceeded 63 days in total, and cessation of care which exceeded 63 days in total. A special reason would not exist where the carer simply chose to extend a holiday beyond 63 days.

Access to the Department of Health and Aged Care respite program is based on a financial year, rather than calendar year. An extension under special circumstances may be used to allow the carer to access care available under Department of Health and Aged Care funding rules, if there is a genuine need for respite, without the carer losing qualification for payment. Extensions are assessed on a case by case basis.

Respite provisions used in an emergency situation such as fire, flood will meet the criteria of 'special reason' for extension of the 63 days respite in a year. Where an emergency situation has occurred that results in the excess use of respite provisions, it is appropriate to allow an extension of respite days under 'special reasons' for the period care was impacted by the emergency situation. A decision to allow an extension must be documented on the carer’s record. Where a carer identifies that, during an emergency situation, they will have to use their respite provisions, this should be clearly documented so this period of respite can be identified for consideration of extension of respite under 'special reasons' in that same year.

Temporary Cessation of Care (respite and hospitalisation) rules do not apply to CP (XWP) - Carer Payment (CP) that is paid under grandfathering provisions for ceased Wife Pension carers. Temporary Cessation of Care (TCC) rules continue to apply to payment level CA as normal. This means CP (XWP) carers who are not providing additional care and attention each day can continue to be paid CA by using their TCC days.

Once CA TCC days are exhausted, the carer’s’ CA may be continued if there is a 'special reason’ or ‘emergency situation’. The continuation of payment under a ‘special reason’ or ‘emergency situation’ only applies to CA. Where TCC cannot be extended, and the carer’s only or last CA is cancelled, then CP (XWP) will automatically be cancelled. A carer will lose qualification for CP (XWP) permanently if payment level CA is not reinstated without a gap in entitlement.

Respite codes that only relate to CP should not be recorded for any TCC days for a carer receiving CP (XWP).

For more information, see Transfer from Wife Pension (WP) to Carer Payment (CP).