Review of a lower Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT) score care receiver and that adult’s dependent child 009-08060110

To qualify for CP, an adult care receiver must attain a Treating Health Professional (THP) score of at least 10 and a total score of at least 25.

Under the lower ADAT score provisions, a carer may qualify for CP when the care receiver meets all of the following:

• have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition
• be likely to suffer from that disability permanently or for an extended period of at least 6 months
• require constant care
• have a total ADAT score of at least 20 including a health professional score of at least 8, and
• have a dependent child who is under 6 years, or
• a dependent child under 16 years and they receive Carer Allowance (CA) for that dependent child

There is no requirement for the care receiver’s child to attract CA if that child is under 6 years. When the child turns 6, the care receiver will need to claim CA for this dependent child for the CP to continue for the carer. If the child does not qualify for CA, the care receiver must have another child under 6, or a child between 6 and 16 who does qualify for CA, for the carer to remain qualified for CP.

Reviews are necessary to ensure that carers are being paid correctly and that carers are given time to consider alternative payments if they are no longer eligible for CP.

Child turning 5 years and 9 months of age

A lower ADAT review will mature when the care receiver’s child reaches 5 years and 9 months. The care receiver will be contacted as the care receiver will need to receive CA for this dependent child, in order for CP to continue. If the child does not qualify for CA, the care receiver must have another child under 6, or a child between 6 and 16 who does qualify for CA, for the carer to remain qualified for CP.

Child turning 15 years and 9 months of age

An automatic trigger will occur for a lower ADAT review when a dependent CA child turns 15 years and 9 months of age. The care receiver should be contacted as CP will automatically cancel when this child turns 16 years of age. The care receiver must have another child under 6, or a child between 6 and 16 who qualifies for CA, for the carer to remain qualified for CP.