Carer Allowance (CA)/Carer Payment (CP) absences where qualification is from the combined disabilities of more than one care receiver 009-06040060
Expand allThis document outlines information on Carer Allowance (CA)/Carer Payment (CP) where the combined disabilities of more than one care receiver forms part of the qualification for payment and looks at what happens when one of the care receivers is absent. It also explains how to code these absences.
Absences from caring
CP and CA carers have up to 63 days per calendar year where they can be temporarily absent from the caring situation and still qualify for payment. This is called a 'respite' absence. Carers caring for an adult 16 years and over, are also allowed 63 days when the care receiver is receiving care in hospital and the carer is participating in that care. This is called a 'hospitalisation' absence. Note: there is no hospitalisation limit for child care receivers, however the 63 day respite limit still applies and all absences must be coded. When either of the care receivers are absent, the same absence period must be coded on the absences screens of every care receiver included in the combined qualification. This is the case even if only one of the care receivers has the absence.
If the carer is absent due to being overseas, the rules for temporary cessation of care and portability may differ between CA and CP depending on the situation. However the respite and portability rules must be considered together. See Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA) interaction of portability and temporary cessation of care (respite) rules.
Related links
Temporary Cessation of Care (respite) provisions for Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA)
Carer Allowance (CA) child care receiver undertakes education, training or treatment
Hospitalisation provisions for Carer Payment (CP) and Carer Allowance (CA)
Assessment of circumstances for couples separated due to illness