Understanding Financial Hardship Assistance for Aged Care Costs: Eligibility and Support
Introduction
Financial hardship can affect anyone, including those who require aged care services. In Australia, financial hardship assistance is available to help eligible individuals with aged care costs, depending on their circumstances. This blog post will discuss the types of financial hardship assistance available, eligibility criteria, and the application process for those receiving aged care services.
Financial Hardship Assistance in Aged Care
The types of financial hardship assistance available for aged care costs vary depending on the specific care services you receive:
Home Care Package For individuals who started receiving a Home Care Package on or after 1 July 2014, financial hardship assistance may cover the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee. However, this assistance does not cover any fees for additional care and services agreed upon between you and your provider.
If you started receiving a Home Care Package before 1 July 2014, you are not eligible for this financial hardship assistance. However, you can negotiate lower aged care costs directly with your home care provider.
Aged Care Home If you moved into an aged care home on or after 1 July 2014, you may receive help with the basic daily fee, means-tested care fee, and accommodation costs. Financial hardship assistance does not cover any fees for additional care and services agreed upon between you and your provider.
For individuals who moved into an aged care home before 1 July 2014, financial hardship assistance may cover the basic daily fee, income-tested care fee, and accommodation costs. However, it does not cover fees for additional care and services.
Residential Respite Care If you receive residential respite care, you may be eligible for help with the basic daily fee.
Claiming Financial Hardship Assistance
To claim financial hardship assistance for aged care costs, you must meet specific requirements:
You must have calculated your cost of care.
Your assets must be valued less than the current threshold.
You must not have made gifts over the specified limits.
If you receive a Home Care Package, your care must have started on or after 1 July 2014. You or your partner's personal or financial details may have changed since receiving your fee advice letter. If your details have changed and you haven't updated them, the outcome of your financial hardship claim may be incorrect. Update your financial details and your partner's before claiming.
Steps to Claim Aged Care Financial Hardship Assistance
Calculate your cost of care: Apply for an aged care calculation of your cost of care if it hasn't already been done.
Check your assets meet the requirements: The value of your assets must be less than the current threshold, excluding any assets you can't sell or borrow against.
Check your gifts meet the requirements: You can't have made gifts of more than $10,000 in the previous 12 months or $30,000 in the previous 5 years.
Get your documents ready: Prepare documents that prove your aged care costs, other essential expenses, and any assets you can't sell or borrow against.
Claim: Complete the Aged Care claim for financial hardship assistance form and send it with your documents to the address provided on the form.
Length of Assistance
The duration of aged care financial hardship assistance depends on your situation, and it will be determined when you claim. Services Australia will notify you and your aged care provider of the outcome and duration of the financial hardship assistance.
Conclusion
Financial hardship assistance for aged care costs can provide crucial support for those struggling to meet their aged care expenses. By understanding the types of assistance available, eligibility criteria, and the application process, you can access the help you need during challenging times.
Comments