Financial assistance

A range of financial assistance is available to families of children with disability as well as support that is available to all families.

Where do I start?

Every family is different and the financial support available to you will depend on your individual circumstances. It can be complex working out what assistance you and your family might be eligible for. For information and advice, start by contacting:

Centrelink

Call 132 717 or visit the Department of Human Services website.

MyGov

This is the central point to access government online services such as Medicare, Centrelink and the NDIS. To access MyGov you need to register first.

Call 132 307 or visit the MyGov website.

What financial support is available for families and carers?

Financial support for families and carers includes:

Carer Allowance

This is a fortnightly payment for parents or carers providing extra daily care for an adult or dependent child with disability or medical condition. It is subject to an annual income test, but no assets test. It is not taxable and can be paid in addition to wages, Carer Payment, or other income support payments. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Carer Payment

This provides financial help to people who are unable to work in substantial paid employment because they provide full-time daily care for someone with severe disability or medical condition. This payment is income and assets tested. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Carer Supplement

This is an annual lump sum payment. It helps with the costs of caring for a person with disability or a medical condition. You will get Carer Supplement if you are receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Child Disability Assistance payment

This is an annual lump sum payment that helps with the costs of caring for a child with disability. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Companion Card

This card is issued to people with a significant, permanent disability, who can demonstrate that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support. For more information visit the Companion Card website.

Carer Card

This card offers discounts from businesses, government and community organisations, free travel on public transport on Sundays and travel vouchers. For more information visit Carer Card website.

What financial support is available for health costs?

Financial support for health costs includes:

Medicare

Medicare helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing mental health care. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Healthcare Card

A concession card to get cheaper medicines and some discounts if you get a payment from Centrelink. You don’t need to apply for a Health Care Card, if you’re eligible a card is posted to you.

PBS Safety Net Card

When you reach the threshold you can apply for a PBS Safety Net Card. This card lets you get cheaper medicine for the rest of the year. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Continence Aids Payments Scheme (CAPS)

This is available for children who are not eligible for the NDIS. For more information call 1800 239 309 or visit the Bladder Bowel website.

Essential Medical Equipment Payment

This is a yearly payment to help with energy costs to run medical equipment or medically required heating or cooling. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

GP Management Plan

This supports people with a chronic or terminal medical condition who would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their care needs. Ask your GP for more information.

Chronic Disease Allied Health Services

A Medicare rebate is available for up to five services per patient each calendar year to people who have a chronic (or terminal) medical condition with a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements. Ask your GP for more information.

Mental Health Care Plan

This is a treatment plan that lets you claim up to 10 sessions each calendar year with a mental health professional. If your health professional decides you’re eligible, you can have an extra 10 group sessions. Health professionals set their own fees – if they bulk bill, you won’t have to pay anything but if they charge a fee only some of the costs are covered. Ask your GP for more information.

Child Dental Benefit Schedule

This covers part or the full cost of some dental services for children if you get certain government payments. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

What financial support is available for families?

Financial support for families includes:

Family Tax Benefit

This is a two-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children:

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A is paid per child and the amount depends on your family’s circumstances.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part B is paid if you’re a single parent or non-parent carer, a grandparent carer, or if you’re a member of a couple with 1 main income.

For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Childcare Subsidy

The Child Care Subsidy helps families with the cost of child care if you are working, looking for work, or if you receive the Carer Payment. For more information visit the Childcare Finder website.

Concessions

Concessions are available to eligible people on a low income who cannot pay council rates, water, gas and electricity bills. For more information call the Concessions Help Line on 1800 658 521 or visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.

Vehicle registration

Discounted or free vehicle registration is available to people with disability who meet the eligibility criteria. For more information visit the VicRoads website.

National Debt Helpline

Free financial counselling

Call 1800 007 007 (Mon-Fri) or visit the National Debt Helpline website.

Social Security Rights Victoria

Call 03 9481 0355 (metro) or 1800 094 164 (rural) or visit the Social Security Rights Victoria website.

What financial support is available for children with disability?

Financial support for children with disability includes:

NDIS

Your child may be able to get funding for supports through Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and the NDIS. To access this you will need to have an ECEI or NDIS plan for your child. Funding is based on the individual support needs of your child. For more information visit the NDIS website.

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme

This provides support for students who cannot go to an appropriate state school because of geographical isolation or because they have a disability or special health needs. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card

This is for full-time students aged between 16 and 25 who had a Carer Allowance Health Care Card on the day before they turned 16. It gives you cheaper medicines, and extra discounts from state and local government authorities and some private organisations. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.

Disability Support Pension

This provides financial help if you have a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working. You must be between 16 and Age Pension age, have a permanent medical condition that stops you from working, meet residency requirements, income and assets tests. For more information visit the Department of Human Services website.