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If the carer of a child under 16 years of age does not qualify for payment of CA, the child may still qualify for CA HCC.
To qualify for a HCC only, the criteria in the following table MUST be met. Where more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where you will find this.
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Criterion |
More Detail |
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ALL of the following | |
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The child has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability, (1.1.P.280) AND |
‑ |
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The child is likely to suffer from that disability permanently or for an extended period (1.1.P.230), AND |
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FTB is payable for the child, or would be, but for certain legislative requirements, AND |
CA child (1.1.C.90) |
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Because of a disability, the child requires a level of care and attention that is substantially more (1.1.S.390) than that needed by a person of the same age who does not have a disability, AND |
This topic |
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The child receives care and attention from the carer or their partner. |
This topic |
There are 2 DIFFERENT care and attention requirements.
The first is that the child NEEDS 'substantially more care and attention' (1.1.S.390). For this requirement the amount of care and attention is important - it must be 'substantially more', but does not have to be provided solely by the carer or their partner.
Explanation: Some of the care and attention can be delegated to others.
Example: A special school or therapist.
The second is that the child RECEIVES care and attention from the carer or their partner. For this requirement the amount of care and attention is less important than who provides it, where, and how often. In addition to the care and attention NEEDED by the child, care and attention must be actually:
Explanation: The second requirement for 'care and attention from either the carer or their partner' is intended to ensure that the child receives at least some of the additional care and attention from their parent/carer in the family home, before CA is granted. Relatively minor additional care and attention is sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
The level of care and attention required because of the disability is measured against the 14 hours rule (1.1.F.170). This rule is explained below and in 3.6.7.20.
Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZK(3) Qualification for HCC
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7.20 HCC Only CA (child) - Measuring the Level of Care & Attention
The 14 hours rule is not a method of assessment prescribed by legislation, although a CA/HCC claim must be rejected if the child does not satisfy the rule. In such cases, if the carer seeks a review of the decision, the delegate should consider whether the child GENERALLY requires substantially more care and attention than a child of the same age without a disability. That is, their care and attention needs measured as a whole, not in terms of the number of hours per week. This test can only be applied if the carer:
Explanation: Look at AAT Decision, Maclean (1993) for guidance on the level of care that is needed by, and provided, to the child.
Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZK(3) Qualification for HCC
Policy reference: SS Guide 6.1.7 Steps in the Social Security Review & Appeals System
A carer must lodge a proper claim before a CA HCC can be granted to the child.
Policy reference: SS Guide 8.1.1 Claim Lodgement Provisions
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Last reviewed: 1 March 2010
