The Law Handbook 2024

328 Section 5: Managing your money care receiver must be the carer’s dependent child who qualifies as a disabled child. A ‘disabled child’ is a child who has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability that is permanent or will continue for an extended period. The child must receive daily care and attention in a private home that is the residence of the carer and the care receiver. The child must either have a ‘recognised disability’ that appears on a list of disabilities that results in automatic qualification, or the disability must cause the child to function below the standard for their age level as assessed under the Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination ( DCLA ) for caring for the child. Such a rating may be given to a carer who cares for two disabled children (whose disabilities do not individually qualify) provided the combined special care needs are at a significant level when measured by the DCLA. If a carer qualifies for the Carer’s Payment for children under 16 for whom constant care is provided, they may automatically qualify for the Carer Allowance. Rate of allowance The Carer Allowance rate (s 974 SS Act) is a flat rate of $144.80 per fortnight. In addition, every person receiving the Carer Allowance receives a $1000 Child Disability Assistance Payment annually for each child being cared for under 16 years; they may also receive a Carer Supplement. There is no assets test for the Carer Allowance. However, since 20 September 2018, an annual family income threshold of $250 000 has applied. The Carer Allowance may be paid in addition to an income support payment. (See also A Guide to Australian Government Payments for more information about the Carer Allowance.) Mobility Allowance The Mobility Allowance is a supplementary payment to help with transport costs for people with disability, illness or injury who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance, but who need to travel for work or study or to look for work. To get the Mobility Allowance (ss 1035, 1035A SS Act), a person must: • have a disability, illness or injury; and • be aged 16 years or over; and • not be able to use public transport without sub­ stantial assistance because of their disability; and • be required to travel to and from home for work (including volunteer work), study, training or job-seeking. The Mobility Allowance is $109.30 per fortnight for people who have 32 hours (in a four-week period) of any combination of paid work, volunteering or vocational training. Whereas, the Mobility Allowance is $152.80 per fortnight for people who receive the Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment and are: • working at least 15 hours per week at or above the relevant minimum wage; or • looking for work of 15 hours or more per week that is at or above the relevant minimum wage under an agreement with an employment services provider); or • working 15 hours or more per week in the Supported Wage System (excluding Australian Disability Enterprises). The Mobility Allowance is not payable if the claimant is provided with a car from the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs under the Vehicle Assistance Scheme, or if the claimant has received a funded package of support from the National Disability Insurance Agency. The Mobility Allowance is only available to Australian residents. The allowance is available to newly-arrived migrants after they have spent 208 weeks in Australia as an Australian resident (some exemptions may apply). The Mobility Allowance may be paid for up to six weeks of temporary absence from Australia. There is no income or assets test for the Mobility Allowance. (See also A Guide to Australian Government Payments for more information about the Mobility Allowance.) Rent Assistance Rent Assistance is a supplementary payment for eligible people who receive a Centrelink payment to help cover the cost of rent. People who qualify for a social security pension, benefit or allowance, or for Family Tax Benefit A at more than the base rate, and who pay rent to a private landlord or community housing provider, may be