www.raisinggrandchildren.com.au

Children with Disability

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, intellectual, 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 or 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 or 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 or 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 or 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 or 1800 800 340	Information and advice regarding prescription and non- prescription medicines as well as herbal and other natural therapies.
ARAFMI	02 9887 5897 or 1800 655 198	Support groups and telephone information services for Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill.