What is the Carer Adjustment Payment?
The Carer Adjustment Payment scheme is available to families where, following a catastrophic event involving a young child aged under 7 years, the family is going through a period of significant adjustment as a result of the care needs of the child.
The Carer Adjustment Payment is to assist families with additional costs during their adjustment period immediately after a catastrophic event. Examples of catastrophic events may include (but are not limited to):
- Diagnosis of a severe medical condition such as childhood cancer
- childhood stroke
- car accident
- fire
- fall
- poisoning
- near drowning, or
- other type of accident
Note: For the purpose of this payment a claimant must be eligible for and receiving Carer Allowance.
Who may be eligible for assistance?
Families may qualify for assistance through the Carer Adjustment Payment where, following a catastrophic event:
- the child, aged under 7 years, is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition; and
- the child has significant care requirements – that is, requires full-time care from the carer for a minimum of two months following the incident; and
- the child's carer is eligible for and receiving Carer Allowance in respect of the child; and
- the carer is not qualified for and receiving Carer Payment; and
- the carer and/or their partner is not qualified for and receiving an alternative income support payment; and
- the carer is able to demonstrate a very strong need for financial support during the adjustment period after the catastrophic event.
When to claim this assistance?
Your claim for Carer Adjustment Payment must be lodged with the Australian Government Department of Human Services (Centrelink) within 2 years from the date of diagnosis of a severe disability or severe medical condition following the catastrophic event.
How much will be paid?
The Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off non-taxable payment available to families in exceptional circumstances. The amount payable depends on the family's individual circumstances. The amount available to any family is up to $10,000 for each child in a single catastrophic event.
Making a Case
All eligible applications for the Carer Adjustment Payment are considered on a case-by-case basis by an independent panel of experts with medical, carer and payment expertise. Carers will need to present their case by setting out their circumstances and the ways in which the family needs extra support and assistance during the adjustment period.
This may include disruptions to things like the carer's capacity to work and/or the care arrangements for the child or other children in the family.
The expert panel will make a recommendation to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) based on your individual circumstances. The decision on CAP claims will be made by a senior officer in FaHCSIA.
Claim forms
For Carer Adjustment Payment claim forms:
Completed claim forms should be lodged at your local Centrelink Office.