1.2.5.50 Carer Allowance (CA) - Description

Purpose of CA

CA is a fortnightly payment that recognises the care provided to a person with disability or medical condition in a private home.

CA (child) - for care receivers aged under 16 years of age

CA (child) may be paid to carers of dependent children with disability or medical condition aged under 16 years of age. Carers who qualify for CA (child) automatically through qualification for CP (child) (1.1.C.361) may or may not be providing care to a 'dependent' child.

CA (child) provides 2 levels of assistance:

• a HCC for children who do not meet a rating of intense on the DCLA (1.1.D.170) but who require substantially more care and attention (1.1.S.390) because of disability or medical condition. This level of assistance recognises the significant costs of pharmaceuticals and treatment that are often associated with the care of children with disability or medical condition.
• a fortnightly payment AND a HCC for children who receive a rating of intense under the DCLA or have a list of recognised disabilities condition. This level of assistance recognises the wider impact on a family in social, occupational, emotional and financial terms, of disability with a significant level of severity. Qualification for this level of assistance is determined by the DCLA, which measures the level of care required for the child (1.1.F.250). Children with a recognised disability (1.1.R.90) do not have to be assessed against the DCLA.

From 1 July 2009 carers receiving CP (child) will automatically qualify for and receive CA (child) for each care receiver under 16 years of age who qualify the carer for CP.

Exception: If another person is already in receipt of CA (child) for the same care receiver the Secretary must make a determination as to who should receive CA and in what amount.

CA (adult) - for care receivers aged 16 years & over

CA (adult) provides a fortnightly payment in respect of a person who is aged 16 years or over, whose disability or medical condition substantially impairs his or her capacity to perform activities of daily living. Eligibility is determined by the ADAT (1.1.A.78), which measures the level of disability and care required by the care receiver.

Act reference: SSAct section 953 Qualification for carer allowance-caring for either 1 or 2 disabled children, section 954 Qualification for carer allowance-caring for a disabled adult in a private home of both the adult and the carer, section 954B Qualification for carer allowance-receiving carer payment for caring for child or children

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7.10 Qualification for HCC Only CA (child), 3.6.7.30 Qualification for CA, 3.6.12.10 Overview of the DCLA (Child) Scoring Regime, 3.6.9.10 Overview of ADAT Scoring Regime, 5.1.5.50 CA - Current Rate

_______________________________________________________

Last reviewed: 1 July 2010