Practical tips and financial support for cancer carers

Receiving a diagnosis of any form of cancer can be life-changing for all involved – the patient and their family and friends. Stepping in to the role of a carer can be overwhelming as you navigate the practical, financial and emotional aspects of your loved one and your own journeys.

It’s important to know what you and your loved one are entitled to in these changed circumstances, so we’ve pulled together some practical tips and signposts to assist you in getting the support, time and space you need to help ensure you are looked after. 

There are many forms of financial support available. Services Australia provides information on payments you may be entitled to when caring for someone else, as well as getting respite, home help, carer getaways and navigating the NDIS (if you fall in to this category).

There are two main types of payments available to carers:

A Carer Payment can assist if you provide constant care to someone who needs care for at least six months full time, and you are living with them. It also applies if you are caring for someone at the end of their life.

The amount depends on personal circumstances including the income you and your partner earn from working. This payment Is also taxable.

To be eligible for this payment you need to meet the following criteria:

• Be under the pension income and assets test limits
• Be an Australian resident
• Be caring for someone who is an Australian resident
• Care for someone who has care need scores high enough on the assessment tools used

Both the carer and their loved one need to be eligible.

A Carer Allowance is a bi-weekly payment for carers giving support and care to someone either:

• With a disability
• With a medical condition
• Who is frail and aged

This payment will apply if the person you are caring for needs ongoing care for at least 12 months or has a terminal medical condition. 

To be eligible for this payment you need to meet the following criteria:

• Meet an income test
• Give additional daily care to someone as listed above
• Care for someone who has a "care need" score above a certain level on the assessment tools used

If you get either of the above payments, you may also be eligible for other payments. A Carer Supplement is an annual payment helping with costs of to support someone living with disability or with a medical condition. You will get this automatically if you are eligible for either of the above two payments. 

If you need to take a break from caring, you may to entitled to up to 63 days per year of respite without affecting your payment if you get either of the above payment types. For more information on taking a break, click below.

• Breaks from caring - Carers Payment
• Breaks from caring - Carers Allowance

If you eligable for Age Pension and caring for someone, you can choose to get Carer Payment (as above) or Age Pension. Information to assist you in your decision is available on the Services Australia Government website.

To help streamline the services, much of the application process and reporting of income can be done online via your myGov portal. Set up a Centrelink online account and follow the prompts.

Other options for financial support:

• Contact your superannuation company and ask what support they are able to offer you at this time
• Contact your private health insurer (if you have it) and check you are maximising all your extras, in-hospital and any other care they may be able to give.

As a carer you also have certain rights within your workplace. It’s helpful to know your rights so you can get the support you need to combine your caring role with your job.

You may need to reduce your work hours, have more flexibility with the hours (starting earlier/later etc), or the option to work from home more often. Ask your HR team at your place of work, you can read more on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

The Department of Social Services also has a great resource for advice and support for carers via their Carer Gateway website.

Encourage your loved one to arrange an enduring power of attorney. This will give you the legal ability to act of their behalf in managing financial matters (paying bills, handling property etc) when or ifthey lose the capacity to manage financial matters on their own due to deteriorating medical condition, coma or death.

Also, suggest an enduring guardianship. Similar to the above, but giving you the right to make accommodation, healthcare, lifestyle and medical decisions should they become unable to do so.

NOTE: each state in Australia is subtly different, so go along to the state website where you live for full details.

• It is worth applying for eligibility for a Safety Net Concession Card. This will help you with ongoing costs for medications.
• Outsource household chores such as shopping, laundry, and child care/collection. You may find it helpful to use online shopping options e.g. Woolworths or Coles delivery.
• Try support Apps such as Gather my Crew and use social media to find local community groups, volunteer networks and child-minding services.

Carers Australia has state specific pages with a range of helpful resources education modules, links, services and support.