Carer support funding increases

From 1 November 2007, the amount paid for Carer Support Subsidy will increase for Ministry of Health funded recipients. This change has been made to make the payment for Carer Support Subsidies around the country consistent. In some areas of the country this will mean a minimal change. In others, it will be a more substantial increase.

In addition to this, for those living in Northern, Midland and Central regions, the old family rate will now be included in the Informal Carer rate. This will mean that eligible family members (as outlined below) will be reimbursed a rate that is equal to non-family members.

From 01 November 2007, the new rates will be:
Informal Carers - $76 per day (GST exclusive) for a 24 hour period.
Formal Providers - $85.50 per day (GST inclusive) for a 24 hour period.

Informal Carers
Informal carers are people who provide relief care in an informal setting such as a domestic dwelling. They are engaged to provide the relief support directly by the full-time carer. These carers are typically friends, neighbours, other people or some family members (please see below for which family members are able to claim carer support) who provide relief support outside the umbrella of a formal provider organisation.

Which family members can claim carer support?
Carer Support can be paid to family members who are not the full-time carer of the disabled person and who do not live at the same address as the disabled person. A family member, in this instance, is defined as a grandparent, grandchild, daughter, son, sister, brother, aunt or uncle.

The following family members cannot be paid carer support to provide relief support for their disabled family member:

• Spouses, partners, parents and other full-time carers. Please note that spouses, even if they do not live at the same address as the disabled person, cannot claim carer support.
• Other family members who live at the same address as the disabled person.

Formal Providers
Formal providers are relief carers who provide support in a formal/commercial setting and/or via an organisation. These providers include organisations such as rest homes, private and public hospitals, professional home workers, voluntary organisations, day care centres etc.

If have any queries about the Carer Support Subsidy please do not hesitate to call HealthPAC on freephone number 0800 281 222.

Article courtesy of Disability Services E-Newsletter November 2007