Key features of the Support at Home program
The new Support at Home program will have eight classifications for ongoing services to better match your care needs. Each classification will have a budget to use for services. The budget will be reset every three months. If you have any unspent funds at the end of the three months, you will be able to roll some of these over to the next quarter.
If you are an existing Home Care Package recipient, when you transition to the Support at Home program, you will be assigned a classification that is equivalent to your current level of funding. If you have any unspent funds, you will not lose these funds when you transition.
Under the new Support at Home program, you may be required to contribute to the cost of independent living services. Services Australia will assess and determine your contribution level. You will not, however, be required to contribute to clinical care services such as nursing and physiotherapy.
Transitioning from a Home Care Package
If you started receiving support under an approved Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will be transitioned to the new Support at Home program from the launch date. Rest assured, under the new program, you will not be worse off. You will receive the same funding as your Home Care Package. You won’t lose any unspent funds and you will pay the same contributions, or less, than you were before.
At Alliance Community, we are here to support you every step of the way through this transition. Schedule a call with us today, and we can explain more about the support we provide.
Frequently asked questions
The new Support at Home program is an initiative designed to provide high-quality aged care for older Australians. It aims to support individuals to live independently in their own homes for longer. The Support at Home program will replace the existing Home Care Packages.
The new Support at Home program introduces new service levels and a funding structure to provide more personalised, flexible and high-quality care for older Australians.
If you are a current Home Care Package recipient, you will be transitioned to the Support at Home program. If you are a new applicant for aged care services, you will apply for the Support at Home program.
Both the new Support at Home program and the new Aged Care Act 2024 will commence on 1 November 2025.
Nothing, you will automatically transition to the new Support at Home program. However, we encourage you to schedule a call with us, and we will talk you through the new program based on your individual circumstances.
No, you do not need to be reassessed for the new Support at Home program if you are a current Home Care Package recipient. If you are new to aged care services, you will need to be assessed.
With the transition to the Support at Home program, your current funding will remain consistent, so you will be no worse off. The contributions you make may vary based on your classification and income assessment. If you were receiving support under a Home Care package prior to 12 September 2024, you will not pay more when you transition to Support at Home, you may even pay less.
If your needs change once you have transitioned to Support at Home, contact us, and we can discuss your needs to ensure you continue to receive the appropriate care and support.
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