Factsheet - CHSP Assistance with Care and Housing

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

Assistance with Care and Housing (ACH) Sub-Programme

This fact sheet is designed to assist you in your understanding of the ACH SubProgramme within the CHSP. This fact sheet should be considered in conjunction with the CHSP Programme Manual. In all instances the CHSP Programme Manual is the primary source of information for the ACH SubProgramme.

From 1 July 2015, the CHSP brought together the following programs to create a streamlined source of support for frail, older people living in the community:  Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) Program  Planned respite services under the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP)  Day Therapy Centres (DTC) Program  Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) Program

In Western Australia, HACC services will continue to be provided under the Commonwealth-State jointly funded HACC Program until these services are transitioned to the Commonwealth from 1 July 2018.

All other CHSP services that were previously delivered through the NRCP, DTC and ACHA programs were implemented nationally from 1 July 2015, including in Western Australia. Where do former ACHA services sit within CHSP? All services that were delivered under the former ACHA Program now sit within the ACH SubProgramme. These services sit within a separate sub-programme of the CHSP to recognise the specialist nature of these services.

What is the target group for the ACH Sub-Programme? The target group for the ACH Sub-Programme is: Frail older people 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), who are on a low income and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of experiencing housing stress or not having secure accommodation; and Prematurely aged people who are 50 years and over (or 45 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), who are on a low income and who May 2017 are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of experiencing housing stress or not having secure accommodation. Who are prematurely aged people? Prematurely aged people are people aged 50 years and over (or 45 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) whose life experiences such as active military service, homelessness or substance abuse has seen them age prematurely. What grandfathering arrangements are in place for clients who received support under the ACHA Program? Grandfathering arrangements were applied to clients who previously received services under the former ACHA Program who would otherwise not be eligible for similar CHSP services. Clients who were receiving ACHA services at 1 July 2015 under the ACHA Program will continue to receive those services until other suitable services become available. Can ACH clients also access other CHSP services? Clients who are eligible to access ACH services are also eligible to access other CHSP services targeted at avoiding homelessness or reducing the impact of homelessness. This includes ACH clients aged 50 years and over (or 45 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who are prematurely aged.

All ACH clients must be assessed by My Aged Care via the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) to determine eligibility and need to receive additional CHSP services. Do all ACH clients need to be registered on My Aged Care? All new ACH clients should register with My Aged Care. This includes prematurely aged clients who are aged 50 years and over (or 45 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients).

Clients receiving services prior to 1 July 2015 do not need to register with My Aged Care unless their needs and/or circumstances change. How do ACH service providers interact and work with My Aged Care during the registration and screening process? My Aged Care is usually the first point of contact for individuals seeking information about Commonwealth subsidised aged care services. Where a client directly approaches an ACH service provider seeking ACH services, service providers can assist clients to register with My Aged Care by:  recording client details in an inbound referral form available on the My Aged Care website that is sent to the My Aged Care contact centre;  calling My Aged Care with the client to facilitate registration and screening; or  sending a fax with information about the person to the My Aged Care contact centre. May 2017 As any resulting referrals for services will be based on the client’s choice, the client can nominate to return to the service provider who assisted them to contact My Aged Care should they wish. How do ACH service providers interact and work with My Aged Care during the assessment process? It is expected that ACH service providers will work together with My Aged Care and the RAS to ensure that the client’s needs are met. The ACH provider may work with the RAS during the assessment phase to develop the client’s support plan.

The ACH service provider can also update the client record with service delivery information. Where there is a significant change in a client’s care need or additional services are required, ACH service providers can request a review of a client’s support plan through My Aged Care, which may lead to a new assessment for the client. What supports are available to assist with using the My Aged Care provider portal? The My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline is available for technical assistance by calling 1800 836 799.

For guidance material, including step-by-step guides to using the My Aged Care provider portal as well as relevant contacts, you can refer to the My Aged Care information for service providers’ page at www.agedcare.health.gov.au/our- responsibilities/ageing-and-aged-care/programs-services/my-aged-care/information-for- service-providers.