Applying for the Support at Home program is a four-step process, and each stage is more straightforward than it first appears. Knowing what to expect from your My Aged Care registration through to selecting a home care provider makes the whole journey easier to plan, easier to discuss with the person you care for, and far less stressful when the time comes to act.
Everyone deserves to live safely and comfortably in their own home. However, an important part of living independently in your own place as you age is knowing how to access aged care services funded by the government.
The Support at Home program has been designed to offer you greater flexibility and choice when it comes to the assistance you receive.
As well as allowing you to enjoy improved physical and emotional wellbeing, accessing support while remaining in your own home has also been proven to extend quality of life and delay entry into permanent care.
As experts in this field, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your home care options.
Step 1 of 4
Register with My Aged Care for your aged care assessment
If everyday tasks are starting to get harder and you want to access government-funded aged care services such as Support at Home, your first step is to contact My Aged Care to get assessed.
Assessments are typically carried out in your home by a trained assessor, but can also be arranged at other locations or via telehealth when necessary.
There are three ways to apply for an assessment:
- Online via the My Aged Care portal
- By phone on 1800 200 422
- In person at a Services Australia office, where you can make an appointment to speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer
Quick tip
Once you’ve applied, you can track the progress of your application using your My Aged Care portal login. The same portal is where your assessment outcome, funding details, and support plan will be available to view.
Step 2 of 4
Aged care eligibility criteria and what to expect from your My Aged Care assessment
The Support at Home program is designed for seniors aged 65 and over, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be eligible from age 50.
After submitting your application, an assessor will contact you to arrange an assessment. This usually occurs within two to six weeks.
The assessor may ask some simple questions about your current circumstances to check your eligibility. These may include questions about:
- Your health
- Your mobility
- Your daily routines
- Your living environment
- Your personal goals
- Any support you’re currently receiving
A record will be kept of your application, ensuring you won’t have to provide the same information again at your assessment.
To help ensure you are fully informed of next steps, the government will also send you a My Aged Care welcome pack, which contains helpful information and outlines the process. You can also track your application by logging into your My Aged Care online account.
Step 3 of 4
The approval and funding process under the new Support at Home program
Once you have completed the above steps, you will receive a Notice of Decision letter outlining your eligibility, approved services, your classification level, and your rights to have the decision reviewed.
How long you wait for funding will depend on your priority category and overall demand.
The Support at Home Priority System allocates ongoing funding when it becomes available, based on a person’s date of approval and priority category: urgent, high, medium, or standard.
When government funding becomes available, the participant will receive their funding allocation letter.
In certain circumstances, such as when there is a requirement to access critical services, you may receive interim funding for a limited time. This does not apply to End-of-Life or Restorative Care pathways.
It’s important to remember that while some services are free, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of others. To help you understand your contributions and start planning your budget, the government offers a free Support at Home fee estimator.
Need support now?
If you require support immediately, talk to your local Just Better Care office about private (self-funded) care. It’s a simple way to get the support you need straight away while waiting for government-funded care to commence.
Step 4 of 4
Choosing your home care provider through My Aged Care
Once you’ve been approved for services under the Support at Home program, the next step is to connect with an aged care provider in your area to help coordinate and deliver the services you need.
After receiving your funding allocation decision, which will be contained within your Notice of Decision, you are required to enter into a service agreement with a provider such as Just Better Care. The service agreement is a legal document that outlines the services you will receive, who will provide them, and what they will cost.
You are required to start services within 56 days of receiving your Notice of Decision, although in certain circumstances an extension may be allowed. If you do not start services within that time, your Support at Home funding may be withdrawn.
After you have selected your provider, you will need to give them the referral code you received in your Notice of Decision letter. This enables them to see your assessment information and support plan, and will inform the care plan and the personalised budget you develop together.
Aged care income and assets assessment
You must also complete an income and assets assessment with Services Australia, as this determines any participant contribution. Contribution rates will be based on your income and assets, and will vary by the amount and type of services you receive.
Once you have worked with your chosen provider to detail the exact services and scheduling, your service delivery will start as scheduled, and you are free to start living your best life.
Important to know
When using My Aged Care’s find a provider tool, look for an aged care provider who takes the time to understand your preferences, daily rhythms, and goals, not just the tasks on a checklist. A good service agreement should be flexible enough to adjust as your needs change.
Ready to start your in-home support journey?
Just Better Care is happy to help you understand your options as you plan out the support services that suit your lifestyle and needs.
.jpg?width=2560&height=1709&ext=.jpg)
