Commonwealth Home Support Services (CHSP)
I’ve been assessed for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/understanding-costs
If you are eligible for Commonwealth Home Support Programme services, you don’t need to complete a means assessment. Services will start only after you have spoken with and agreed to the fees with your provider.
As the Australian Government funds providers to keep costs affordable, you won’t be asked to cover the full cost of services.
You will make a contribution to your provider—if you can afford it—for as long as you receive services.
There are no exit fees.
= - = - = - = - = - = - = - =
The Federal Government’s proposed merger of the Commonwealth Home Support Program and home care packages was pushed back until July 2020, budget papers show. With much of the government’s focus directed to the February 2017 changes in home care, consultations on the second stage of community aged care reform are still at a very early stage. To bide the government more time on the merger, Tuesday’s budget announced a $5.5 billion extension of existing CHSP contracts and My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services for two years. “It will be important that government now undertake the development work to ensure the new program commenced in full on 1 July 2020 with an integrated assessment workforce and consistent fees policies,” said ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow.
https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/ras
To determine exactly what help you will need at home you need to undergo a home support assessment by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
The RAS will ask you a number of questions about your personal circumstances and look at your ability to cope with various activities in your daily living. Together, you will be able to work out what sort of help and how much you need, and what it might cost. The RAS will also make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
Table 2.8: Predicted CHSP expenditure in nominal terms by service type at the national level, 2018-19 to 2028-29
https://communitycarereview.com.au/2021/06/29/data-study-shows-increasing-chsp-demand-expenditure/
Service type:
Who pays for CHSP services?
While the Australian Government funds the Commonwealth Home Support Programme service providers so they can deliver affordable services to you, there is a fee for each service. The amount you contribute depends on your income and the type and number of services you require.
How much will the $ fees be?
For all CHSP services, including respite care, it is the direct client's income (rather than the carer's income) that is proposed to be used for the purpose of determining fees. For example, where a daughter is caring for her elderly grandfather, and the grandfather books into an overnight respite cottage while she takes a break, it is the grandfather's income that is assessed for the purposes of determining his eligibility for a discounted fee, rather than that of the daughter.
Depending on the client's income, the client will be expected to pay either:
Note: There is no financial assistance officially available for services provided through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. You will have to pay a contribution towards the Provider's services. If you are struggling to pay, we suggest talking to your service provider to see if you can negotiate a cheaper rate, although they are under no obligation to provide this.
The following table proposes the three rates applicable, based on the income of the client: *
* The Federal Government’s proposed merger of the Commonwealth Home Support Program and home care packages has been pushed back until July 2020, budget papers show. With much of the government’s focus directed to the February 2017 changes in home care, consultations on the second stage of community aged care reform are still at a very early stage. To bide the government more time on the merger, Tuesday’s budget announced a $5.5 billion extension of existing CHSP contracts and My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services for two years. “It will be important that government now undertake the development work to ensure the new program commences in full on 1 July 2020 with an integrated assessment workforce and consistent fees policies,” said ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow. Budget 9 May 2017
For the latest figures refer to: https://health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/01/schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-residential-and-home-care-schedule-from-1-january-2020_0.pdf
Annual income Proposed Fee Type
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Income equal to or greater than $51,800 Standard Fee
Income less than $51,800 but greater than $25,118.60 Part pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $25,118.60 Full pensioner discounted fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Couple combined income Income equal to or greater than $82,400 Standard fee
Income less than $82,400 but greater than $38,984.40 Part-pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $38,984.40 Full pensioner discounted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illness separated couple Income equal to or greater than $103,000 Standard fee
combined income Income less than $103,000 but greater than $49,301.20 Part-pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $49,301.20 Full pensioner discounted fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some service types involve the use of consumable items. Given these items wear out or are used up, the service provider may ask the client to meet these additional costs. There may also be other additional expenses that clients could be asked to pay such as building materials (where the service provided includes home maintenance for the client).
Consistent with residential care and Home Care Packages, all clients will be expected to pay fees to contribute to the cost of the services they receive. However, if a client is experiencing financial hardship such that are unable to pay the full standard or discounted fee, the client may be eligible for reduced feess in accordance with the financial hardship arrangements set out in the Section 10 (refer MyAgedCare website).
Proposed Fee Schedule#:
For each type of assistance (service) there is a standard fee (maximum), a part pensioner discounted fee and a full pensioner discounted fee (minimum).
The Standard Fee would apply to all non-pensioners and is targeted at ensuring that those who can afford to pay for the cost of their care do so. The standard fee represents an amount up to the full cost of the service delivered to the client as determined by the service provider.
++++++++ It is important to note however, that the provider would not be able to set a fee for service that is in excess of the actual cost of providing that service. This fee should be set by each provider and disclosed to the client prior to services being delivered.
"Providers will be required to have published fees so that it is transparent what fees they are actually proposing to charge, and if they have not charged anything before, there will be an expectation from Government that they begin charging new clients as they come on board." Paul Sadler, chair of the CHSP advisory group with the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA).
However, some exceptions will be offered including for clients of the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program.
The Part Pensioner Discounted Fee would apply to those clients who are in receipt of a part pension and those with equivalent incomes. This fee reflects the principle that part pensioners (or equivalent non-pensioners) are able to contribute more to the cost of their care than full pensioners in view of their income level. This fee should be disclosed to the client prior to services being delivered.
The Full Pensioner Discounted Fee would be eligible for the fully discounted fee. The pensioner discounted fee is a minimum fee that clients would be expected to pay as a contribution towards the cost of their care. This should be agreed between the provider and the client.
++++++++++++
The proposed fee schedules have been based on an analysis of current fee rates nationally.
The provider-set fee is set by the provider, up to the cost to the service provider to deliver the service.
All costs associated with home maintenance and home modifications must be discussed with, and agreed to, by the client prior to commencement of work.
Transport to and from centre-based day care may be charged separately consistent with fees specified for transport.
Will an overall limit be applied to the Fees?
Caps or limits are typically applied to fee arrangements in order to limit the overall amount that a client can be charged for the cost of their care across a year or lifetime. Other than the discounted fee payable by pensioners (or those on equivalent incomes), there are no proposed limits on the fees payable for receiving care and services.
The proposed CHSP Fees policy provides for hardship provisions where a client's capacity to pay a fee may otherwise impact on their ability to get essential services. In view of this, the proposed CHSP fees policy does not apply an overall limit to the fees payable for CHSP services, as the hardship arrangements are designed to protect financially vulnerable clients.
Fees paid towards CHSP services would not count towards the annual and lifetime caps which apply to the means tested and income tested care fees payable in residential care and for Home Care Packages.
Clients who receive multiple services:
Clients should be charged for each instance of a service they receive. For example, where a client receives an hour of social support and two meals per week under the CHSP, they would be expected to pay the relevant fee for a meal twice in that week, and the social support fee once.
This includes clients who previously received Community Options Packages under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care Program, and are continuing to receive the same level of support under the CHSP as part of the grandfathering arrangements in place for pre-existing clients.
The role of My Aged Care
When a person approaches My Aged Care and is initially screened for eligibility for CHSP services, they will be asked to identify their pensioner status. Since pensioners will attract a reduced fee rate for CHSP services, My Aged Care assessors will ask the person to provide evidence of their income status including through presenting a pensioner concession card or Commonwealth Health Care Card as part of the process at assessment.
Please note that clients are not obliged to provide this information, however if service providers cannot verify the client's status for the purpose of determining fees, clients may be subject to higher fees than they might otherwise be expected to pay.
My Aged Care Phone 1800 200 422 will provide initial information about fees to potential clients so that they are equipped to discuss fee arrangements with their preferred service provider.
17 December 2021
I’ve been assessed for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/understanding-costs
If you are eligible for Commonwealth Home Support Programme services, you don’t need to complete a means assessment. Services will start only after you have spoken with and agreed to the fees with your provider.
As the Australian Government funds providers to keep costs affordable, you won’t be asked to cover the full cost of services.
You will make a contribution to your provider—if you can afford it—for as long as you receive services.
There are no exit fees.
= - = - = - = - = - = - = - =
The Federal Government’s proposed merger of the Commonwealth Home Support Program and home care packages was pushed back until July 2020, budget papers show. With much of the government’s focus directed to the February 2017 changes in home care, consultations on the second stage of community aged care reform are still at a very early stage. To bide the government more time on the merger, Tuesday’s budget announced a $5.5 billion extension of existing CHSP contracts and My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services for two years. “It will be important that government now undertake the development work to ensure the new program commenced in full on 1 July 2020 with an integrated assessment workforce and consistent fees policies,” said ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow.
https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/ras
To determine exactly what help you will need at home you need to undergo a home support assessment by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).
The RAS will ask you a number of questions about your personal circumstances and look at your ability to cope with various activities in your daily living. Together, you will be able to work out what sort of help and how much you need, and what it might cost. The RAS will also make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
Table 2.8: Predicted CHSP expenditure in nominal terms by service type at the national level, 2018-19 to 2028-29
https://communitycarereview.com.au/2021/06/29/data-study-shows-increasing-chsp-demand-expenditure/
Service type:
- Allied Health and Therapy Services
- Assistance with Care and Housing
- Centre-based Respite
- Cottage Respite
- Domestic Assistance
- Flexible Respite
- Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology
- Home Maintenance
- Home Modifications
- Meals
- Nursing
- Other Food Services
- Personal Care
- Social Support - Group
- Social Support - Individual
- Specialised Support Services
- Transport
Who pays for CHSP services?
While the Australian Government funds the Commonwealth Home Support Programme service providers so they can deliver affordable services to you, there is a fee for each service. The amount you contribute depends on your income and the type and number of services you require.
How much will the $ fees be?
For all CHSP services, including respite care, it is the direct client's income (rather than the carer's income) that is proposed to be used for the purpose of determining fees. For example, where a daughter is caring for her elderly grandfather, and the grandfather books into an overnight respite cottage while she takes a break, it is the grandfather's income that is assessed for the purposes of determining his eligibility for a discounted fee, rather than that of the daughter.
Depending on the client's income, the client will be expected to pay either:
- the standard fee;
- the part pensioner discount fee; or
- the full pensioner discount fee.
Note: There is no financial assistance officially available for services provided through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. You will have to pay a contribution towards the Provider's services. If you are struggling to pay, we suggest talking to your service provider to see if you can negotiate a cheaper rate, although they are under no obligation to provide this.
The following table proposes the three rates applicable, based on the income of the client: *
* The Federal Government’s proposed merger of the Commonwealth Home Support Program and home care packages has been pushed back until July 2020, budget papers show. With much of the government’s focus directed to the February 2017 changes in home care, consultations on the second stage of community aged care reform are still at a very early stage. To bide the government more time on the merger, Tuesday’s budget announced a $5.5 billion extension of existing CHSP contracts and My Aged Care Regional Assessment Services for two years. “It will be important that government now undertake the development work to ensure the new program commences in full on 1 July 2020 with an integrated assessment workforce and consistent fees policies,” said ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow. Budget 9 May 2017
For the latest figures refer to: https://health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/01/schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-residential-and-home-care-schedule-from-1-january-2020_0.pdf
Annual income Proposed Fee Type
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Income equal to or greater than $51,800 Standard Fee
Income less than $51,800 but greater than $25,118.60 Part pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $25,118.60 Full pensioner discounted fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Couple combined income Income equal to or greater than $82,400 Standard fee
Income less than $82,400 but greater than $38,984.40 Part-pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $38,984.40 Full pensioner discounted fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illness separated couple Income equal to or greater than $103,000 Standard fee
combined income Income less than $103,000 but greater than $49,301.20 Part-pensioner discounted fee
Income less than or equal to $49,301.20 Full pensioner discounted fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some service types involve the use of consumable items. Given these items wear out or are used up, the service provider may ask the client to meet these additional costs. There may also be other additional expenses that clients could be asked to pay such as building materials (where the service provided includes home maintenance for the client).
Consistent with residential care and Home Care Packages, all clients will be expected to pay fees to contribute to the cost of the services they receive. However, if a client is experiencing financial hardship such that are unable to pay the full standard or discounted fee, the client may be eligible for reduced feess in accordance with the financial hardship arrangements set out in the Section 10 (refer MyAgedCare website).
Proposed Fee Schedule#:
For each type of assistance (service) there is a standard fee (maximum), a part pensioner discounted fee and a full pensioner discounted fee (minimum).
The Standard Fee would apply to all non-pensioners and is targeted at ensuring that those who can afford to pay for the cost of their care do so. The standard fee represents an amount up to the full cost of the service delivered to the client as determined by the service provider.
++++++++ It is important to note however, that the provider would not be able to set a fee for service that is in excess of the actual cost of providing that service. This fee should be set by each provider and disclosed to the client prior to services being delivered.
"Providers will be required to have published fees so that it is transparent what fees they are actually proposing to charge, and if they have not charged anything before, there will be an expectation from Government that they begin charging new clients as they come on board." Paul Sadler, chair of the CHSP advisory group with the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA).
However, some exceptions will be offered including for clients of the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program.
The Part Pensioner Discounted Fee would apply to those clients who are in receipt of a part pension and those with equivalent incomes. This fee reflects the principle that part pensioners (or equivalent non-pensioners) are able to contribute more to the cost of their care than full pensioners in view of their income level. This fee should be disclosed to the client prior to services being delivered.
The Full Pensioner Discounted Fee would be eligible for the fully discounted fee. The pensioner discounted fee is a minimum fee that clients would be expected to pay as a contribution towards the cost of their care. This should be agreed between the provider and the client.
++++++++++++
The proposed fee schedules have been based on an analysis of current fee rates nationally.
The provider-set fee is set by the provider, up to the cost to the service provider to deliver the service.
All costs associated with home maintenance and home modifications must be discussed with, and agreed to, by the client prior to commencement of work.
Transport to and from centre-based day care may be charged separately consistent with fees specified for transport.
Will an overall limit be applied to the Fees?
Caps or limits are typically applied to fee arrangements in order to limit the overall amount that a client can be charged for the cost of their care across a year or lifetime. Other than the discounted fee payable by pensioners (or those on equivalent incomes), there are no proposed limits on the fees payable for receiving care and services.
The proposed CHSP Fees policy provides for hardship provisions where a client's capacity to pay a fee may otherwise impact on their ability to get essential services. In view of this, the proposed CHSP fees policy does not apply an overall limit to the fees payable for CHSP services, as the hardship arrangements are designed to protect financially vulnerable clients.
Fees paid towards CHSP services would not count towards the annual and lifetime caps which apply to the means tested and income tested care fees payable in residential care and for Home Care Packages.
Clients who receive multiple services:
Clients should be charged for each instance of a service they receive. For example, where a client receives an hour of social support and two meals per week under the CHSP, they would be expected to pay the relevant fee for a meal twice in that week, and the social support fee once.
This includes clients who previously received Community Options Packages under the Commonwealth Home and Community Care Program, and are continuing to receive the same level of support under the CHSP as part of the grandfathering arrangements in place for pre-existing clients.
The role of My Aged Care
When a person approaches My Aged Care and is initially screened for eligibility for CHSP services, they will be asked to identify their pensioner status. Since pensioners will attract a reduced fee rate for CHSP services, My Aged Care assessors will ask the person to provide evidence of their income status including through presenting a pensioner concession card or Commonwealth Health Care Card as part of the process at assessment.
Please note that clients are not obliged to provide this information, however if service providers cannot verify the client's status for the purpose of determining fees, clients may be subject to higher fees than they might otherwise be expected to pay.
My Aged Care Phone 1800 200 422 will provide initial information about fees to potential clients so that they are equipped to discuss fee arrangements with their preferred service provider.
17 December 2021