News for Carers - Department of Human Services

humanservices.gov.au
Issue 15 | December 2014
News
Carers
FOR
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Message from the Minister
Carers play an important role in
the Australian community. There
are 2.7 million unpaid carers in
Australia who provide constant care
for those who are unable to care
for themselves. The responsibility
of caring for someone full time can
take its toll on a person physically,
financially, and emotionally. Many
carers feel like they are alone
but help is available for them.
To lighten the load, the government
offers financial support through the Carer Payment and
Carer Allowance for eligible carers.
I am pleased to bring you Issue 15 of News for Carers
as it provides you with information about a number of
services available to support carers who do so much to
make life easier for others. In this edition you can learn
about the range of services and tools from beyondblue to
help those suffering from anxiety or depression, and the
Care for me app that is helping make it easier for carers
who may need to leave their care receiver in the hands of
someone else.
Making government services more accessible and
efficient is one of my key priorities so it is great to
see that the Department of Human Services’ online
services and mobile apps are gaining popularity among
customers. These digital options make dealing with the
department more convenient, save you time, and free up
our front line staff to help serve customers with
complex needs.
You can read about how to take advantage of these
services on page 9. You can also find out about myGov,
the fast and easy way to access a range of government
services online with one username and password.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank
carers for the work they do. I value the contribution
that carers make to the community. I would like
to also encourage carers to take time to take
care of themselves and read about the range of
support services available for them in this edition of
News for Carers.
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Human Services
Contents
Message from the Minister��2
Access to government services just got easier��8
Supporting carers ��3
Smarter ways to manage your business with us��9
Nominee arrangements��3
Smart phone app makes it easier for carers ��9
Do you care for a person with disability?��4
Have your children been immunised?�� 10
A better aged care system��6
Accessing our services�� 10
Free bowel cancer screening program��6
Centrepay—helping you manage your bills�� 11
Job Services Australia—support to
meet your individual needs��7
Useful contact details�� 12
beyondblue’s Man Therapy website
helps ease pressure on carers��7
2
News for Carers
Nominee arrangements
Did you know?
The person you care for can authorise
you as a nominee to act on their behalf?
?
Nominee arrangements can be made for many
reasons—a person may be going on an extended holiday,
have a language barrier, or have difficulty with reading,
writing or handling money.
Entering into a nominee arrangement does not mean you
have to do everything for your care receiver. Having you
as a nominee simply means you are authorised to help
them when they need it.
Supporting carers
In the 2014–15 Federal Budget, the government committed
funding to improve the lives of carers and their care receivers.
The government will provide $3 million over three years to
fund a Young Carer Bursary Programme. The programme
will provide 150 annual bursaries valued up to $10,000
to young carers aged 25 years and under who look after
people with disability, physical or mental health issues or
older people in need of care. This support will help young
carers continue their education and reduce the emotional
and financial pressures they face as a carer.
The government will also provide $0.9 million over
four years to establish a new Disability and Carers Industry
Advisory Council. The council will provide innovative advice
and recommendations to improve the lives of people with
disability and carers. It will bring together industry, the service
sector, peak bodies, people with disability and carers to work
closely with the government on policies affecting people with
disability and ways to reduce red tape across the sector.
For more information visit dss.gov.au
There are many types of nominee arrangements. You
can be given access to make enquiries, complete and
sign forms and statements, attend appointments and/or
receive payments on behalf of the person you care for.
Elizabeth’s story
Elizabeth is currently caring for her mum who is on
the Disability Support Pension and English is her
second language.
Her mum made an arrangement for Elizabeth to be her
nominee. This arrangement allows Elizabeth to make
enquiries, and complete and sign forms on behalf of
her mum.
Elizabeth’s mum still attends her appointments with us
with the help of an interpreter. Her payments are also
still paid directly to her. Elizabeth only has to act on her
mum’s behalf when needed.
If you or someone you know would like to make a
nominee arrangement, this can be done online.
Find out more at humanservices.gov.au/nominees
News for Carers
3
Do you care for a person with disability?
Changes to the Disability Support Pension
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is an income
support payment for people with permanent physical,
intellectual or psychiatric impairment who are unable to
fully support themselves through paid work.
The government provides the DSP for those who need it
but recognises many people with disability want to work
and benefit from the independence, purpose, dignity and
sense of achievement work brings.
The changes announced in the 2014–15 Federal Budget
aim to ensure the social security system is sustainable and
able to meet future demand. The budget measures also
focus on supporting young people under 35 years of age,
with capacity, to gain and retain employment.
Changes to the DSP from 1 July 2014:
• Compulsory work-focused activities for
DSP recipients under 35 years of age who have
an assessed work capacity of at least eight hours
per week
Activities will be focussed on support to prepare
DSP recipients for work, and help them find and
maintain employment. This could include connecting
with an employment service provider, work experience,
education and training, or rehabilitation activities to
overcome individual barriers. DSP recipients who do
not complete their activities may have their payment
suspended or cancelled. We will discuss this with
them at their next participation interview and work
with them to include the compulsory activities in their
DSP Participation Plan.
• DSP recipients granted payment between 2008
and 2011, aged less than 35 years of age with
a work capacity of eight or more hours per
week, will have their work capacity reassessed
and eligibility reviewed against the revised
Impairment Tables
DSP recipients reviewed and found to have some
work capacity will be supported to help maximise
their capacity to join the workforce. We will send a
letter closer to the date of their review. This letter will
provide more information about the review.
For more information visit humanservices.gov.au/dsp
Mobility Allowance
DSP recipients can get financial help if they require
substantial assistance to use public transport in order to
undertake participation related activities.
Find out more about Mobility Allowance at
humanservices.gov.au/mobilityallowance
4
News for Carers
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will
ensure people with permanent and significant disability
receive support relevant to their disability needs and
life goals. This includes having choice over the types of
support they want and how it is delivered.
The full NDIS will be rolled out progressively in New
South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia,
Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the
Northern Territory from July 2016. Western Australia
has not committed to the full NDIS roll out at this time.
The NDIS recognises the essential role that families
and carers play in supporting people with disability to
help them achieve their goals. The NDIS will provide
information, referral and linkage to ensure they are
able to access support in the community to assist them
in their role. Families and carers can also be involved
in discussions with the NDIS about current and future
support for their care receiver.
For more information visit ndis.gov.au
You can use the My Access Checker tool on the website
to find out if your care receiver is able to access
assistance from the NDIS.
The NDIS is being rolled out in stages and is currently
being trialled in the following locations:
• Hunter area of New South Wales
• Barwon area of Victoria
• South Australia for children aged 0–14 years
• Tasmania for people aged 15–24 years
• the Australian Capital Territory
• Barkly area of the Northern Territory
• Perth Hills in Western Australia.
The Western Australian My Way initiative is also being
trialled in the Lower South West area of Western
Australia as an alternative model. An independent
comparative evaluation of the services and outcomes in
the WA NDIS and My Way trial sites will be undertaken
throughout the period July 2014 to July 2016. The lessons
learnt from the evaluation will inform the future delivery
of services.
Did you know?
?
You can create a myGov account and link
the NDIS and other services so you can access
them online, anytime. See page 8 for
more information.
News for Carers
5
A better aged care system
Did you know?
?
There are currently more than one million
Australians receiving aged care services.
More than half of all people who receive
care are cared for and supported at home.
What does this mean for you and your care receiver?
• More support for care at home.
• Greater flexibility on payment options for residential
aged care.
• Opportunity to seek a place at any residential aged care
service that best meets the needs of the person you care
for (without a distinction between high and low care).
• More transparent accommodation prices and services
to help you make a better choice.
For more information about accessing aged care services
visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.
As we are now living longer thanks to better health and
better health care, the government has made some
fundamental changes to the aged care system to ensure
it continues to be sustainable and affordable.
myagedcare.gov.au provides useful information and
guidance for carers about:
• the range of aged care services available
• caring for someone with a particular need or who is
near the end of their life
• counselling and support services
• legal support.
Free bowel cancer screening program
Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of
cancer in Australia. Around 80 Australians die each week
from the disease. Research shows a simple screening
test every two years can save up to 500 lives annually. If
detected early, bowel cancer can be treated successfully.
In the 2014–15 Budget, the government committed
a further $95.9 million over four years to extend free
Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) screening to all
Australians 50 to 74 years of age. By 2020 all eligible
Australians will be invited to complete a test every
two years from the age of 50.
Currently, Australians turning 50, 55, 60 or 65 years of age
are eligible for the free test. From January 2015, people
turning 70 and 74 years old will also be invited to screen.
More people will then be invited to screen as follows:
• 2016—72 and 64 year olds
• 2017—68, 58 and 54 year olds
• from 2018—52, 56, 62 and 66 year olds.
6
News for Carers
National Bowel Cancer Screening Register
We maintain the National Bowel Cancer Screening
Register. The Register issues invitation kits, reminder
letters and keeps a record of test results provided by
your treating health professional.
If eligible, you (or the person you care for) will be sent
information about the program and your free test
by mail around the time of your birthday. The test
can be done in the privacy of your home and mailed
to a pathology laboratory for analysis. You and your
nominated health professional will get the test results.
If the results are positive, you will be asked to see your
health professional, who may refer you for more tests.
For more information on the program, go to
cancerscreening.gov.au or call 1800 118 868*.
Job Services Australia—support to
meet your individual needs
Job Services Australia provides support to help people
find and keep a job. With Job Services Australia you’ll
receive personalised help, access to services that are
tailored to your needs and appropriate training, skills
development and work experience.
Job Services Australia is designed to be flexible.
For example, if you have recently lost your job, you can
get immediate access to personalised help, career advice,
referral to training places and job search support to help
you get back into the workforce as soon as possible.
Your Job Services Australia provider will work with you
to put together a plan that sets out the services and
support you need to help you find and keep a job.
If you are a parent or carer, your Job Services Australia
provider will work with you to find work and activity
options that take into account your additional
responsibilities. Your provider may also be able to assist
you to arrange suitable childcare.
Specific types of help may also be available—for
example, to people aged 50 or over, Indigenous job
seekers, young people, people with disability or people
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Find out more at employment.gov.au/jsa
Working or thinking about working?
You can participate in work, including volunteer work,
study or training for up to 25 hours a week (including
the time taken to travel) and still be eligible for Carer
Payment, as long as you continue to personally provide
constant care. However, any income you receive
may affect your rate of payment. If your income
changes, let us know as soon as possible by using your
Centrelink online account or calling 132 717.
beyondblue’s Man Therapy website
helps ease pressure on carers
Did you know?
?
Caring for someone 24/7 can put you at an
increased risk of developing depression.
beyondblue offers support to people from all walks
of life who are struggling with anxiety or depression
through its telephone support service and websites,
including mantherapy.org.au which focuses on
improving men’s wellbeing.
Man Therapy provides interactive and accessible
resources including a quiz that directs men to
information they can watch and read in their own time.
“Most blokes don’t want to talk about how they feel and
even if they feel really down, many won’t take action to
get help to make themselves feel better,” said beyondblue
Chief Executive Officer, Georgie Harman.
Man Therapy is a website men can access privately
whenever it suits them.
beyondblue also provides a range of other services and
information for everyone. For example:
• NewAccess—is a free trial service available in
Coffs Harbour in NSW, the ACT and Adelaide, that
provides support in the form of a coach who can
guide you in setting practical goals that will help get
you back on track. Find out more at actml.com.au/
programs/mental-health/newaccess
• Guide for Carers—Caring for others, caring for yourself—
contains helpful advice and tips about caring for
others and yourself
• A parent’s guide to anxiety and depression in young
people—has information to help parents and carers
understand anxiety and depression.
If you or someone you care for is having a tough
time visit beyondblue.org.au/get-support or call
1300 224 636 to chat to a mental health counsellor.
News for Carers
7
Access to government services
just got easier
myGov is the fast and easy way to access a range
of government services online with one username
and password.
Now you can
do so much right here
This includes Centrelink, Medicare, the Australian
Taxation Office, National eHealth Record, Child Support,
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme.
The myGov service meets all of the Australian
Government’s security and privacy requirements for
the collection and storage of personal information.
myGov only contains the minimum personal information
that is necessary to create and administer your myGov
account, including your email address. If you’re a
nominee for someone receiving a Centrelink payment,
you can access nominee services through your
Centrelink online account and a range of other services,
all in one place.
If you haven’t already, create a myGov account today!
You can then link the services you need to your
myGov account. It’s that easy!
One login.
One password.
One destination.
my.gov.au
Our member services
8
News for Carers
Smarter ways to manage your business with us
In May 2014 our customers completed over 8 million
self-service transactions—with online and mobile app
options being the most popular. It’s time you jump on
the bandwagon!
Did you know you can do so much at the touch of your
fingertips? For example, through your Centrelink online
account or Express Plus mobile app, you can:
• report your employment income, activity test or
participation requirements
• update your personal details and report changes to
your circumstances
• access electronic messaging and online letters
• access information about your past and future payments
• update your family income estimate
• complete your review of Rent Assistance
• apply for an advance payment
• request and submit documents.
To register for an online account or find out more
about our full suite of self-service options, visit
humanservices.gov.au/selfservice
Smart phone app makes it easier for carers
Damon cares full time for her son Rudy who was born
with Cerebral Palsy. Because of Rudy’s care needs,
Damon is limited in the amount of time she can spend
away from her son.
Damon worried if other people were caring for her son,
they wouldn’t know how to care for him properly. So she
came up with a unique idea to create Care for Me—an
iPad and iPhone application that allows support and care
needs to be recorded and stored for future use.
“I was always stressed when I had to leave Rudy in the
care of someone else,” Damon said.
Damon tried to find a system or computer program to
help her organise and communicate her son’s care needs
but had no luck finding anything.
“There was a lot on caring for babies and animals, but
not much else. So I thought I‘d develop an app to store
information about a person’s care needs,” she said.
Damon’s app ensures a person’s individual support plan
and individual preferences are portable and up-to-date.
“I know it’s also tough on carers when they’re given a pile of
paperwork but no time to consider it. The app is designed to
make life easier for the care giver, whoever they are.
Care for Me takes away any grey areas and
tells carers exactly what they need to know.
So far my app has been downloaded by 220 people,”
says Damon.
Damon was a finalist for the 2013
National Disability Awards in the category
of “Excellence in Improving Personal and
Community Support Award”. Damon said
she is happy to have been able to fill a
gap in the market and provide support
for carers worldwide.
News for Carers
9
Accessing our services
We are committed to making sure everyone has access
to information about our payments and services.
Have your children been immunised?
Immunisation will help your children stay healthy. It’s a
simple, safe and effective way of protecting your children
against harmful diseases that can cause serious health
problems and sometimes death.
If your children have not been immunised, or have missed
a vaccination, it’s easy to catch up—just ask your doctor
or immunisation provider. Vaccinations can be given by
your doctor, immunisation clinics and some hospitals.
Helping you keep track of your
children’s immunisation
We provide a national register to help parents and
guardians keep track of their children’s immunisation
history. The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
is a national register that records vaccinations given to
children under seven years of age.
Your children’s immunisation history on the Immunisation
Register can help you when you need proof of
immunisation. For example:
• to use as proof of immunisation for school enrolment, or
• to see if your children meet the immunisation
requirements for some family assistance payments.
Payments, such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A
supplement, Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate
can only be paid for children who have been immunised
or have an approved immunisation exemption recorded
on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
For more information visit
humanservices.gov.au/immunisation
or call 1800 653 809.
10
News for Carers
Information about all payments and services are
available and accessible on our website. We have
designed our website to include:
• text to speech capability—so you can listen to the
content or download it for use later
• printer friendly pages—so you can print relevant
information for yourself or someone else
• transcripts for all audio and video content—so you
can choose to download and read the content at
your own pace
• some translated information—so you can access
information in your language. We have information that
you can read, watch or listen to in languages other than
English at humanservices.gov.au/yourlanguage
We also have dedicated phone lines for all enquiries and
we can arrange for someone to speak to you in your
language if required. To speak to us in your language
call 131 202 for Centrelink services and payments, or
131 450 for Medicare and Child Support services.
“We don’t know the language and the people who
answered our phone calls over the past two and a half
years have been polite and helpful each time. All that has
gone on over the phone has been very good for us”, said
a customer who uses our Greek interpreting service.
Customers who have hearing or speech impairment
can contact us through our free TTY service on
Freecall™ 1800 810 586.
Alternatively, you can visit our service centres.
Our service centres are designed to meet all Australian
standards in relation to physical access. Some service
centres are also equipped with assistive listening devices.
Find out more at humanservices.gov.au/accessibility
Centrepay—helping you manage your bills
If you receive a Centrelink payment, such as Carer
Payment or Carer Allowance, you can use Centrepay to
help you manage your day-to-day living expenses.
It’s a free and voluntary way to pay bills in the form
of regular deductions directly and securely from your
Centrelink payments.
How does it work?
Instead of having large bills every month or quarter,
your bills can be paid in manageable amounts from
your fortnightly payment. This will make it easier for
you to budget.
What can I pay using Centrepay?
There are many expenses you can pay using Centrepay,
as long as the business or organisation you want to pay
offers Centrepay as a payment option. For example:
• private rent including community housing
• telecommunications
• electricity, gas and water
• education fees and expenses
• ambulance costs
• child care
• home care services
• rental of household goods
• medical services and equipment.
How can I manage my Centrepay deductions?
The easiest way to set up and manage your Centrepay
deductions is through your Centrelink online account.
You can add a new deduction, change a current
deduction or cancel or suspend a deduction.
You can also view a Deduction Statement in your
Centrelink online account. The statement will show your
next regular payments, the amounts being deducted
from your payment and the money you’ll have remaining.
View and print your Deduction Statement using the
‘Request a document’ service from your Centrelink online
account or by using phone self-service.
To find out more about Centrepay visit
humanservices.gov.au/centrepay or
humanservices.gov.au/onlineguides for step-by-step
guides on how to use Centrepay online.
News for Carers
11
Useful contact details
132 717
Disability and Carers
To speak to us in a language other than English 131 202
Indigenous Call Centre
Freecall™ 1800 136 380
Feedback and complaints
Freecall™ 1800 132 468
Financial Information Service
Go to our website at humanservices.gov.au
132 300
Important: calls from your home phone to our ‘13’
numbers from anywhere in Australia are charged
at a fixed rate. That rate may vary from the price of
a local call and may also vary between telephone
service providers. Calls to ‘1800’ numbers from
your home phone are free. Calls from public and
mobile phones may be timed and charged at a
higher rate.
Disclaimer: the information contained in this
publication is intended as a guide only. The information
is accurate as at September 2014. If you use this
publication after that date, please check with us that
the details are current.
News for Carers is moving online
News for Carers
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News for Carers
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