CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) FAQS
CSHP – Your Questions Answered
If you have any issues, questions, concerns or would like to provide feedback to the Dept. regarding any aspect of My Aged Care, please phone: 1800 200 422, email: myagedcaresupport@healthdirect.org.au or submit your feedback via the My Aged Care Online Form.
For DEX questions, issues or support, email dssdataexchange.helpdesk@dss.gov.au or phone 1800 020 283 (8.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday).
Carers
What happens to carers of clients under the age of 65?
Carers who were receiving services under the former NRCP, may retain access to equivalent services until other suitable services become available.
CHSP
Are individuals under 65 years of age, who have difficulty performing activities of daily living without help due to functional limitations, eligible for support under the CHSP?
If an individual lives in a region where the NDIS program has not as yet rolled out, they are near 65-years of age, have no real disability, then they are eligible for CHSP support.
Are individuals under 65 years who have been diagnosed with early onset dementia eligible for support under the CHSP?
Yes. On page 15, the Commonwealth Home Support Program Manual states ‘In certain circumstances, CHSP services may be provided to people who do not meet the target group criteria and who need assistance with daily living toremain living independently at home and in the community.’
Can only existing Centre Based Day Care services provide group social support?
No other services can provide social support under CHSP, either as individual or group social support.
Is post-acute care funded under the CHSP?
No. If a client is already eligible for CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) support or was receiving it prior to hospitalisation, additional support services can be provided following a hospital stay for a short period of time. After this, support services must be reviewed to determine if the client’s current needs are being met.
Are pallative care services available through the CHSP?
Yes. CHSP clients are able to receive palliative care services in addition to home support services, but this needs to be arranged by the person’s GP or treating hospital.
How often should we review the services clients are receiving?
CHSP service providers have an ongoing responsibility to monitor and review the services they provide clients at least every 12 months to make sure the client’s needs are still being met. The outcome of a review may include:
- No change in services
- An increase or decrease in services
- Client’s needs have changed dramatically so a referral for another assessment (RAS or ACAT) is required
How many services can a client receive under the CHSP program?
The CHSP program provides a maximum of 1-2 low level services.
If an individual requires more than 1 or 2 low level services, they should be referred to ACAT to assess their eligibility for a Home Care Package.
Disability
Which service/s are individuals 65 years and over with a disability able to access?
Individuals who are not accessing NDIS but have a disability and are aged 65 or over will be able to access CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) services.
Home Care Packages
If an individual is a permanent resident but not eligible for the Aged Care Pension, are they still able to register with MAC?
If a client is a permanent resident, they are eligible for Aged Care Services once the client has gone through the MAC system. Eligibility is based on assessment made by RAS /ACAT. Whilst the Dept. provides subsidy to the aged care provider, the client may be required to pay additional fees based on the type of service they will be receiving.
If the client is not eligible for the Aged Pension, due to an assurance of support signed by their immediate family member, then the family member has to pay for the fees or if the client is financially disadvantaged then it is up to the provider to waive the fees.
What are ‘unspent funds’ in a home care package?
‘Unspent funds’ refer to an amount that is ‘left over’ in a consumer’s package. Unspent funds may be accumulated as a result of a decision by the consumer to make provision for emergencies, unplanned events or increased care needs in the future. Unspent funds are required to be clearly identified in the client’s budget and recorded in the monthly statements given to the consumer.
What happens to client Home Care Package funds from 27 Feb next year?
From February 2017, Home Care subsidy and supplements funding will continue to be paid to a single approved provider, but consumers will be able to direct the funding to the provider of their choice.
Where an approved provider is unable to provide all of the care and services included in the consumer’s care plan, the approved provider will be able to subcontract or broker services from another service provider.
Can Home Care Package (HCP) clients access CHSP services?
A HCP client can access CHSP services in the following situations once a RAS assessment has been done:
- A Level 1 or 2 HCP client can access short-term or episodic Allied Health & Therapy Services or Nursing Services through the CHSP if their budget is already fully allocated.
- A HCP client can access Respite Services through the CHSP if their carer requires it and their budget is already fully allocated.
- A HCP client can access broader CHSP services in an emergency if their budget is already fully allocated.
Can a new client receive CHSP services while waiting to receive their Home Care Package?
Yes. Once a new client has had an ACAT assessment, they are eligible to receive CHSP services while waiting to receive the relevant HC package. They do not need to have a RAS assessment to receive CHSP services.
How do we charge for CHSP services when a HCP client is at capacity and financially constrained (these costs cannot be charged to the HCP)?
Home Care Packages (HCP) operate under the Consumer Directed Care (CDC) model. This means that a care plan is developed between the care recipient and the provider based on the level of subsidy the provider is receiving on behalf of the client (i.e. Levels 1-2 or 3-4 ).
This means that if a HCP client is seeking additional services from CHSP, the client or the provider has to pay for the CHSP services, with the exceptions outlined in the CHSP Manual (Chapter 3, Section 3.1.2.).
Is there a time frame for moving people across from Disability Funding to Home Care Packages?
Although there is no minimum age requirement for a HCP, the Home Care Packages Program has been developed to assist frailer older Australians to remain in their homes, for as long as they can and wish to do so. In some cases, younger people with disabilities, dementia or special care needs may be able to access a HCP. This should only occur where there are no other care facilities or care services more appropriate to meet their needs. The National Guiding Principles for the Referral and Assessment of Younger People with Disability provides further information on this.
How do clients who are receiving disability packages (e.g. ACP/CSP) whose needs have increased get assessed for additional hours of support? Will a Level 4 Package provide 30-50hrs support/week?
Clients with a disability fall outside the jurisdiction of the Department of Health as they will be supported by NDIS.
My Aged Care
How can people access aged care services?
Individuals will need to contact the My Aged Care contact centre to discuss their needs. Contact staff will determine their eligibility and then if suitable create a Client Record.
TIS (Telephone Interpreting Service) is available to assist people who communicate in language/s other than English, and the NSR (National Relay Service) is available to assist people who have a hearing or speech impairment.
The My Aged Care contact centre staff, may then:
- Refer the client directly to a CHSP service/s – only if a client requires one-off services or has simple service needs
- Arrange a RAS home assessment
- Arrange an ACAT assessment if a higher level of care is required
- Provide information on non-Commonwealth funded services if appropriate
What options are available if an individual is unable to contact My Aged Care directly?
Service providers can call the My Aged Care call centre on 1800 836 799 directly with the client’s permission or register the client by visiting: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/referral
Where can I find additional support for service providers using the My Aged Care portal?
There are a number of comprehensive resources for service providers that you can access by visiting the Resources section of our website.
You can also register for DSS webinars by visiting: https://www.dss.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care-news-and-updates/webinars#1
How do I register my service on the My Aged Care portal?
It is critical that ALL CHSP service provider organisations enter and regularly review their service information on the portal. Without an accurate, comprehensive listing, you will not be able to receive client referrals. To login into the portal, visit: https://myagedcare-serviceproviderportal.dss.gov.au Quick Reference Guides on how to create a service listing, visit our Resources section of our website.
As a Community Service, can I register clients on the My Aged Care portal?
Yes. If you are approached by new clients seeking aged care services (regardless of the number of services they are seeking), you can assist them with the MyAgedCare registration process by:
- Completing an Inbound Referral Form
- Calling the MyAgedCare Contact centre with the person to facilitate registration and screening
RAS (Regional Assessment Service)
What is the Regional Assessment Service (RAS)?
When an individual contacts My Aged Care, contact staff will create a Client Record and then provide information about aged care, submit a referral to RAS for entry-level support, or to the ACAT (for more intensive support – Home Care Packages), both of whom will undertake a face-to-face assessment using a National Screening and Assessment Form (NAF).
Once RAS have completed the client assessment they will create a Support Plan, attach it to the Client’s My Aged Care Record and then send electronic referrals via the My Aged Care portal for service/s to CHSP providers. Providers will use the My Aged Care portal to view the Client Record and manage the referral for service/s.
RAS can also provide short term case management for vulnerable clients with complex or multiple needs.
Can an individual receive CHSP services prior to a RAS taking place?
Yes – if a client has an urgent need for services (eg meals, transport) they can receive these while waiting for the RAS assessment.
Who is responsible for assessing a client’s needs?
The RAS is responsible for undertaking a client assessment, which entails determining their strengths, goals and needs, and how they want to be supported. This information, including service recommendations, forms the client’s Support Plan.
Based on this information, Service Providers are then required to liaise with the client to develop a Care Plan.
Residential Care
Do you need a current ACAT assessment for a client to move into a Residential Care facility?
Yes