What is financial support during long-term illness?

Financial support during long-term illness refers to payments, services or subsidies that can help you manage your living and healthcare costs if you or your child are unwell for a long time.

This support can come from a range of government programs or community organisations.

How can I manage my finances with a long-term illness?

Long-term illnesses, both physical and mental, can affect many parts of your life, including your finances. You may face extra costs if you are unwell, or if you are caring for someone with an illness.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get support with childcare, meals and general help at home.

If you have a long-term illness, you may have access to assistance with living expenses, such as:

• Child Disability Assistance Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Mobility Allowance
• Rent Assistance
• Telephone Allowance

You can find more on the Services Australia website.

How do I manage my finances with a long-term illness?

If you have a long-term illness, it is a good idea to plan your budget early.

You can talk to a trained financial adviser about your options for managing treatment costs. Depending on your situation, these may include:

• accessing your superannuation early
• some private insurance payments

You can find more at Moneysmart.

What is the cost of treatment?

If you have a chronic illness, as part of your treatment you may need to:

• buy medicines
• use medical equipment
• attend allied health appointments or different types of therapy
• attend specialist appointments

The cost of your treatment will depend on many things, including if you:

• have treatment in the public or private system
• are working and need time off
• live in a rural area and travel for treatment
• have private health insurance

You should ask your doctor about their fees before your appointment.

Speak with your nurse or another member of your healthcare team about access to support services and assistance programs. A social worker can give you information about what financial and practical support services are available for you.

Check if there are other support services available to help you.

Am I eligible for financial support?

You may be able to get financial support if your long-term illness significantly affects your ability to work and meet daily living needs. The main payment is called the Disability Support Pension. This is based on how your condition impacts your functioning, not just your diagnosis.

You may be able to get the Disability Support Pension if you:

• have a diagnosed medical condition that is likely to last more than 2 years
• cannot work, or can only work a limited number of hours
• meet residency requirements
• · meet income and assets limits
• You will usually need medical evidence from your doctor or specialist to support your application.

What financial support services are available to help me manage a long-term illness?

Some healthcare services may be subsidised, for example:

• specialist appointments
• imaging scans and tests
• hospital visits
• some medical equipment

Contact Services Australia for more information.

You may also be eligible to apply for:

• JobSeeker Payment — this may help if you cannot work or study for a period of time because of illness
• Youth Allowance — if you are studying or training and have a health condition that affects your ability to work
• Carer Payment — this supports people who provide ongoing daily care to someone with a medical condition

What help is available to reduce the cost of medicines?

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) helps reduce the cost of many prescription medicines. The PBS Schedule lists the medicines that are subsidised by the Australian Government. Most Australian residents with a valid Medicare card can access PBS medicines. Some overseas visitors may also be eligible for subsidised medicines.

Medicare Safety Nets can help to lower your medical costs for out-of-hospital services. Talk to your local Medicare office about safety nets, costs and medicines.

Can I get help with travel costs?

You may need to travel for treatment that is not available near where you live. You may be able to get help with the cost of accommodation and travel.

Each state and territory has a government-funded scheme. These schemes help people who need to travel long distances to get medical treatment that is not available locally.

Contact the scheme in your state or territory:

• ACT: Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (IPTAS)
• NSW: Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
• NT: Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS)
• QLD: Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
• SA: Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)
• TAS: Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)
• VIC: Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS)
• WA: Patient-Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)

Can I work with a long-term illness?

Deciding if you continue working will depend on your health, financial situation and priorities. If you feel well enough, you may find that continuing to work is helpful.

Some people choose to make changes to their work, such as:

• working part-time or flexible hours
• leaving work to spend time doing things they enjoy or have always wanted to do
• changing their career
• doing volunteer work

If you need support to make decisions about your work, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a healthcare professional who is experienced in counselling.

If you plan to return to work, it can help to talk with your manager or supervisor early so you can agree on expectations and any support you may need.

Tips for returning to work

• Plan how, and who, to tell about your work arrangements.
• Give your employer as much notice as possible if you need to take leave.
• Explore options for part-time work or flexible hours.
• Ask for leave before you feel tired or burnt out.
• Keep records of your work hours.
• Keep records of discussions or correspondence with your supervisor or manager.

Resources and support

Services Australia has information about payments for people living with disability. You can use this online tool to check what payments and services you may be eligible for.

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing can help answer questions about disability and carers. You can also use this map to find what financial support is available in your state or territory.

Languages other than English

Services Australia has information in many different languages.

You can call 131 450 for TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service) if you need help in another language.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Closing the Gap helps Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who have a chronic disease.

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who have long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or others.

Read more about available health services and Medicare benefits as part of the Indigenous Access Program

Call the Indigenous Access Line on 1800 556 955 for help with Medicare services or payments.