Other assistance and support for carers 009-07000000

Background

This document has information about supplementary payments and supports for carers.

Referrals to support services

Carers may be able to access government and/ or non-government organisations and support services in their local area. Any referral is voluntary.

For more information, see Support services for carers.

Carer Supplement (CS)

CS is an annual payment of up to $600 to help carers with the costs of caring for a person with a disability or medical condition.

Payment is based on a carer having 'received' an instalment of an identified primary payment that attracts CS for 1 July. For more information, see Carer Supplement (CS).

Child Disability Assistance Payment (CDAP)

CDAP is an annual payment of $1,000 to help carer's purchase assistance for their child.

The payment is made for each child who qualifies their parent/carer for payment of Carer Allowance (CA) on 1 July each year. For more information, see Annual Child Disability Assistance Payment.

Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP)

The Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP) is a one-off non-taxable payment for families where, following the diagnosis of a serious or severe illness of a child under 7 years of age, there is a period of significant adjustment as a result of the care needs of that child. It is to assist families with additional costs during the adjustment period immediately after the diagnosis. The maximum amount available to any family is $10,000 per child. The amount payable depends on the families individual circumstances.

Claims for Carer Adjustment Payment must be lodged within two years from the date of diagnosis of a severe illness, medical condition or major disability. Qualification is determined by the Department of Social Services. For more information, see Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP) for carers of young children.