The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Carers of adults with a mental illness find it difficult to access the Carer Payment and the Carer Allowance. In 2004, the government reported that 1.3 million Australians are missing out on the Centrelink benefits designed to help them to participate in the community.

Carers Victoria are conducting a survey to find out more and to inform government what needs to be done to ensure that carers of adults with a mental illness get the payments they are entitled to.

There are two ways you can participate:

1. An online survey (allow around 15 minutes to complete).
2. Via telephone conversation or interview (allow around 30 minutes).

For more information, click here, or you can send an email to Penny Paul to register your interest.

Edmund Rice Camps will be holding two Young Parents Retreat Weekends in 2010. These camps are aimed at providing respite for Young Parents and those expecting a baby.

There will be activities aimed at strengthening the family unit as well as opportunities for parents to be alone while volunteers entertain the children in a safe and nurturing environment.

Criteria

• Parents must be under 20 years of age
• Parents must be on Centrelink payment and/or eligible for a Commonwealth Health Care Card

Dates

• 12th – 14th March 2010
• 25th – 27th June 2010

To Register or Volunteer Contact

• Natalie on 8234 2937
• eddie@eddiericecamps.org.au

Registrations close Friday 26th February

For more information see the flyer or Edmund Rice Camps

Are you looking after a child under 16 with severe disability or severe medical condition?

If so, you may be interested to know about some changes to Carer Payment that take effect from 1 July 2009.

Carer Payment provides income support to carers who, because of the demands of their caring role, are unable to support themselves through substantial paid work. Carer Payment is income and assets tested and paid at the same rate as other social security pensions.

The most important change is to the way qualification for Carer Payment is assessed. The new method that will be used from 1 July 2009 looks at the carer’s total care load.

Other changes include:

· recognising more situations when carers will receive the payment, such as caring for:

o one child with severe disability or severe medical condition

o two or more children with disability or medical condition

o an adult with disability and one or more children with disability or medical condition

· the payment will also be available to eligible carers who are looking after a person for a short period of time, that is at least three months, but less than six months

· more sensitive and generous arrangements for carers of children with a terminal illness

· removing the 63 day limit on hospitalisation

· automatic Carer Allowance for carers who qualify for Carer Payment

· a wider range of health professionals to complete medical forms.

Further information

From 1 July 2009 for information about rates, other available assistance or your potential eligibility you can:

· visit the payment page on Centrelink’s website www.centrelink.gov.au

· telephone Centrelink on 13 27 17 or for TTY service 1800 810 586

· visit your nearest Centrelink office.

Do you have feedback about these changes?

If so, you can email the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs at carer.reforms@fahcsia.gov.au or write to:

FaHCSIA – Carer Reform Implementation

TOP CE2

PO Box 7576

Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610

All feedback will be acknowledged and carefully considered in our review of Carer Payment over the next 12 months.