Preparing To Move To Support At Home: A Guide For Existing Recipients

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the government’s new in-home aged care program. It has been designed to simplify the system, give people more flexibility and ensure services are transparent and affordable.

What are Support at Home grandfathered clients?

If you’ve heard the term grandfathered, it simply means you’re protected under the rules that were in place before a major change. In this case, Support at Home grandfathered clients are people who had already been assessed or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024.

Being grandfathered means you’ll keep your existing level of funding when moving across to Support at Home. It also means you won’t be worse off financially under the new system. This is part of the government’s “no worse off principle”, which ensures your contribution rate won’t be higher than what you would have paid under your HCP.

What happens if you were assessed before September 2024?

If you had a Home Care Package in place or were on the National Priority System by 12 September 2024, you’ll automatically move into Support at Home as a grandfathered client.

That means:

• Your budget will match your current package level
• Any unspent funds will carry over and can be used for Support at Home services
• You’ll keep your contribution rate or possibly pay less

What happens if you were assessed after 12 September 2024?

If your assessment happened after 12 September 2024, you won’t be considered a grandfathered client. Instead, you’ll be given a Support at Home classification when a place becomes available. This classification will determine your budget and care level under the new program.

It’s important to note that you won’t need a completely new assessment unless your care needs have changed.

Steps to take before the transition

To prepare, there are a few key activities to keep in mind:

1. Expect contact from your provider

Your provider will reach out to review your care plan and set up a new Service Agreement (currently called a Home Care Agreement). This is your chance to discuss your needs and preferences in detail.

If you’d like more choice in how you manage your plan, you can learn about self-management options.

2. Decide how to use unspent funds

If you have unspent funds, you may wish to put them toward assistive technology or home modifications. These purchases can be part of your Service Agreement conversation. You can find more details about what’s available through the Support at Home categories and service list.

3. Prepare for contribution changes

If you’re paying an Income-Tested Care Fee, Services Australia will notify you of your new Support at Home contribution rate. You may need to update your income and asset information. Both you and your provider will receive a letter with the details.

Will your services change?

For most people, services will look quite similar under Support at Home. You’ll still be able to access personal care, transport, domestic help and other common supports. Prices may shift a little, but providers are required to be transparent and reasonable with fees.

If your needs change, you can request a reassessment to ensure your services continue to match your circumstances. For those comparing care types, you might also find it useful to read about the differences between Support at Home and the Home Care Package program.

Key reminders for Support at Home grandfathered clients

• If you were approved or waiting for a package before 12 September 2024, you’ll keep your funding level
• Unspent funds carry over to Support at Home
• You won’t pay more than you would have under your old package
• Your provider will guide you through the process

Make the transition with Homecare My Way

Change can feel daunting, but the move to Support at Home has been designed with protections in place for existing clients. By checking in with your provider and making decisions about your funds, you’ll be well-prepared for the transition.

If you’d like help navigating the process, the team at Homecare My Way is here to support you. Get in touch today to learn how we can make your move to Support at Home simple and stress-free.