Can I receive CHSP and Support at Home services at the same time?
Usually not, but there are limited exceptions. A Support at Home participant may also receive certain CHSP services, such as an existing CHSP social support group, additional respite, vision advisory services, short-term emergency support, or help with hoarding and squalor. Approval and assessment requirements apply.
Key points
Key takeaways
Receiving Support at Home and subsidised CHSP services together is allowed only in defined circumstances.
Existing social groups, respite and vision advisory services may continue without a general time limit.
Emergency and hoarding or squalor support are normally time-limited.
Additional CHSP access usually requires a My Aged Care assessment or reassessment.
CHSP contribution fees must be paid separately and cannot be deducted from the Support at Home budget.
Other services may be purchased from a CHSP provider at full cost.
Support at Home is generally intended to fund your ongoing in-home care, so you would not normally receive the same or similar subsidised services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program at the same time.
However, concurrent access is allowed in several specific circumstances:
An existing CHSP social support group: If you moved from CHSP to Support at Home, you may continue attending a social support group you were already using. This allows established social relationships to continue.
Additional planned respite: You may access CHSP community, centre-based, flexible or cottage respite in addition to your Support at Home services.
Hoarding and squalor support: Time-limited CHSP assistance may be available following reassessment where the living environment creates serious risks.
Emergency support: Some CHSP services may be provided temporarily where there is an urgent and immediate health or safety need and your Support at Home budget is fully allocated or you are waiting for funding. As a guide, short-term support may last up to two months.
Vision advisory services: These specialised CHSP services may continue on an ongoing basis.
Except for someone continuing a previously approved CHSP social support group, you generally need to be assessed through My Aged Care before receiving the additional CHSP service.
You must also pay any normal CHSP client contribution. Your Support at Home budget cannot be used to pay that contribution.
CHSP equipment, products and home adjustments are not available through the emergency pathway for someone approved and waiting for Support at Home Assistive Technology and Home Modifications funding.
A Support at Home participant may also purchase other services from a CHSP provider using their quarterly budget, but this is charged at the full cost of the service, rather than as a subsidised CHSP service. The provider must also have capacity to deliver it without disadvantaging CHSP clients.
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01Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Check your current My Aged Care support plan to confirm which CHSP and Support at Home services you are approved to receive. If you need additional respite, urgent support or another service covered by an exception, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask whether you need a Support Plan Review, reassessment or new referral.
Do not assume that a CHSP provider can begin the additional service without approval. Also ask what client contribution you will need to pay, as this cannot usually be paid from your Support at Home budget.
02Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
03Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Program rules and individual approvals can change. Confirm your circumstances with My Aged Care or refer to the current Australian Government program manuals:
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