Children with Disability
Grandchildren with Disabilities
Grandparents can sometimes be in situations where they are caring for a child with a disability. They might also have a spouse or parent with a disability for whom they are carer. Issues of support and respite are of added importance in these families.
Disabilities can be physical, inphone:lectual, psychological or psychiatric and they need to be considered long-term – either permanent or likely to continue over an extended period of time – for a carer to qualify for added assistance.
Where do you go for Help?
Financial Support
Dependent on the degree of disability Centrelink may provide you with a Carer Allowance and Health Care Card. This allowance is not means tested and can be paid in addition to other income support payments. This allowance recognises the impact that caring has on the carer's life and comes with a Carers Allowance Health Care Card issued in the name of the child. This entitles you to discounts on pharmaceutical and medical needs.
If your child's disability does not qualify you for the Carers Allowance the child may still qualify for a Health Care Card if she/he requires more than 14 hours of your extra care and attention per week.
If your child's disability is considered 'profound' you may qualify for a Carers Payment in addition to the Carers Allowance. This is a means tested income support payment – contact Centrelink 13 2717. You will also receive a Pensioner Concession Card if you are on a Carers Payment. This covers both you and the child in your care.
Support Services
|
Service
|
Telephone
|
Description
|
|
Carers NSW
|
02 9280 4744 1800 242 636
|
Provides support and advice for carers of children and older
people with a disability or long-term illness
|
|
Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres
|
1800 059 059
|
Help for families in need of respite services. They can assess the
level of need and provide assistance within the family home or at a suitable
location depending on your requirements. They can direct families to local
respite services and can arrange 24hour emergency care if needed.
|
|
Northcott Society
|
02 9890 0100 1800 506 071
|
Manages more than 40 programs for people with disabilities and
their families or carers across NSW. Regional centres in NSW- in Dubbo,
Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Illawarra
|
|
Down Syndrome
NSW Early Childhood Intervention Infoline
|
1300 65 68 65
|
Provides information, support and advice regarding services
children with Down Syndrome up to school age
|
|
IDEAS
Information on Disability
|
1800 029 904
|
Provides up-to-date information on a wide range of physical and
intellectual disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment,
speech/language difficulties, psychiatric, genetic, as well as issues around
ageing and acquired brain injury and other conditions.
|
|
DAISI
Disability and Aged Information Services Inc
|
02 6622 8002 1800 800 340
|
Lincs* services directory - a high quality community information
directory for services on the Far North Coast or all around New South Wales.
|
|
Child Care and Family Info Line can
advise you regarding Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN)
|
02 8594 4244 1800 803 820
|
Your child's preschool, child care or vacation care can be
funded by DoCS to assist children with additional needs
|
|
HealthInsite website
Medicines Line
|
02 6622 8002 1800 800 340
|
Information and advice regarding prescription and non-
prescription medicines as well as herbal and other natural therapies.
|
|
ARAFMI
|
02 9332 0700 1800 655 198
|
Support groups and telephone information services for
Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill.
|