Have you decided you’re ready to get some help around the home through Support at Home funding (formerly Home Care Packages), but you’re not sure how to start the process? We’ve put together six key steps to help you navigate the aged care system, access government funding and receive the at home care you need.
Step 1: Contact My Aged Care
To ensure affordable and equitable aged care services are available for Australians citizens, there is government funding available. While there are different types of government funding, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), the Support at Home program (formerly Home Care Packages) and Residential Aged Care funding, your eligibility for any government funding is determined by a single assessment through My Aged Care. If you’re wanting to get a better understanding of the support available, having a chat with My Aged Care is a great place to start.
After having an initial discussion with My Aged Care, you will need to apply for an assessment online. This will likely take 10–15 minutes. When doing so, you will need to provide your Medicare card and some information about your situation so they can determine if you meet the basic requirements.
You can apply for an assessment through the My Aged Care website, call them on 1800 200 422, or make an in-person appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at Services Australia by calling 1800 227 475.
Step 2: Get an aged care assessment
Once you’ve completed your application for an assessment, My Aged Care will contact you. If you’re eligible for an assessment, they will work with you to find a suitable date for the assessment.
The assessment usually takes place in your own home but can sometimes be organised via telehealth, depending on your situation. During the assessment, the assessor will ask you questions about your needs, daily activities and any support you are currently receiving.
The assessment can take between 1 to 3 hours, so you might find it useful to have a support person present, such as a family member, friend, or carer, and have a list of discussion points and questions ready to go.
Some discussion points or questions you may like to include are:
- Health and wellbeing: Are there any existing health conditions you are currently managing?
- Your goals: What would you like to work towards? This might include increasing your physical activity or getting out more often for social activities.
- Services you may need: Which services do you think would help you maintain your independence (such as cleaning, meal preparation or physiotherapy)?
- Safety at home: Is there anything in your home that could be adjusted to help you continue living safely and independently (such as grab rails in the bathroom or next to any stairs)?
Step 3: Receive your approval letter
Once you’ve completed your assessment, you will receive a letter with the outcome from My Aged Care, referred to as a ‘Notice of Decision’. Depending on application volumes, you can expect to receive this letter within days or weeks of your assessment, though in some cases it may take a little longer.
The Notice of Decision will outline if you are eligible for the Support at Home program or other government funding. If eligible for the Support at Home program, the Notice of Decision will provide more detail about the services you have been approved for, and:
The classification level:
Your funding classification determines how much financial support you receive. After your My Aged Care assessment, you’ll be assigned a funding level from 1 to 8. The higher your funding level, the more funding you will receive, with level 1 offering the lowest amount and level 8 offering the highest amount.
Your quarterly budget:
Your quarterly budget is the amount the government contributes toward your Support at Home services and is based on your assessed classification level. Services are grouped into three categories: Independence Support, Everyday Living and Clinical Supports. Depending on the category of service you receive, you may need to make a personal contribution in addition to your allocated budget.
Any short-term care you may be eligible for:
Through the Support at Home program, there are three short-term funding options you might be eligible for depending on your situation, needs and assessment. This includes the Restorative Care Pathway, End-of-Life Pathway, and Assistive Technology/Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.
Step 4: Choose a home care provider
If you’ve been approved for Support at Home, you will then join the national queue to be assigned funding. Once funding is available, My Aged Care will send you an assignment letter with a unique referral code to start services.
While you’re waiting for Support at Home funding to become available, this is a great opportunity to research and choose a provider that best suits your needs.
When selecting a Support at Home provider, you may like to consider the following:
- Do they offer a range of services that you may need in the future, so you can continue with the same provider as your needs change?
- Do they have experience delivering aged care services?
- Do they aim to have consistent care staff?
- Are they able to meet your cultural preferences and needs?
- Do they clearly explain their fees and charges, so you understand any personal contributions?
For some extra tips on finding the right Support at Home provider for you, download our checklist.
Step 5: Develop your care plan
Once you’ve chosen your care provider, they will work with you to develop a care plan.
Your care plan is a document that outlines your needs, goals, preferences and choices. It will include details such as your preferred days, times, and frequency of services, and the services you can afford within your budget.
Your care plan will also consider your cultural preferences and support your individual goals, ensuring services are delivered in a way that works best for you.
Step 6: Begin receiving services
With your care plan in place, you’re all set to start receiving services. Now you can work with your provider to start the support that suits you best, whether that’s domestic assistance, nursing, allied health, or social and community activities. If you’ve been assigned funding through the Support at Home program, contact Anglicare Southern Queensland to get started with receiving aged care services.
Additional Tips
Get assessed early
The sooner you get assessed by My Aged Care, the better! Even if you’re only just starting to think about home care, applying for funding now can help you stay safe and maintain your health. Don’t wait until an accident or health issue occurs, getting assessed early gives you more options and peace of mind.
Ask questions
The aged care system can feel overwhelming at times, so if you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider or My Aged Care. They are there to help and make sure you understand your options.
Keep track of your paperwork
Your paperwork, referral codes, and care plans are important in accessing funding and managing any changes to your care plan. We recommend keeping all this information together in a safe. This will help you stay organised and make it easier to manage your services as your needs change.
Bring a support person to the assessment
By having a support person who is familiar with your daily activities and routine, they can prompt you during the assessment if you forget to mention things you struggle with. It’s common to forget or downplay certain challenges, and a support person can provide specific examples to ensure your needs are fully communicated. Remember, the assessment can take 1-3 hours, so having someone there to provide emotional support can be beneficial. Another benefit of having a support person present, is they can take notes during the assessment, making it easier for you to remember important information.
Know your rights
Understanding what you are entitled to can give you confidence during the assessment and while accessing aged care services. By knowing which services are available through Support at Home funding, you may think more broadly about the types of support you need and be able to better advocate for yourself. For example, you may not initially consider domestic assistance as an aged care service, so you may not mention to your assessor that you need help with it. By knowing that it is available, you are more likely to bring it up and explain challenges you have with completing these tasks safely. Being aware of your rights gives you more background knowledge and understanding, making the assessment process easier, allowing you to clarify any confusion, and helping you make informed decisions about your care.