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Getting help when you can’t afford your aged care contributions  

Sometimes, unexpected circumstances make it difficult to afford your aged care contributions. Financial hardship assistance can help you get the care you need when you’re facing financial difficulty.

 

What is financial hardship assistance?  

Financial hardship assistance, also known as a fee reduction supplement, can help you with paying your contributions if you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot pay your contributions. If you are eligible, the Australian Government will pay some, or all, of your contributions, fees and accommodation, helping you to get the care you need. This assistance recognises that sometimes people face financial difficulties beyond their control.

 

Who can apply for financial hardship assistance?  

You may be eligible for financial help if you’re receiving Support at Home, or if you’re in an aged care home for permanent care or residential respite care. Financial hardship assistance can help you if, for reasons beyond your control, you can’t afford your aged care costs, and each case is assessed on an individual basis.   

 

What costs can financial hardship assistance help with?  

Financial hardship assistance can help you with different types of fees and charges depending on your fee arrangements, and if you are on the 1 November 2025 fee arrangements, you may be eligible for help with your basic daily fee, hotelling contribution, non-clinical care contribution, and/or accommodation costs. For Support at Home participants, this means assistance with your contributions for independence supports like personal care and social support, as well as everyday living supports like domestic assistance and meal preparation. Clinical supports are always fully funded by the government, so you never pay for these services.  

 

How do you know if you’re eligible?  

If you apply for financial hardship assistance, Services Australia will check to see how much income you have access to after you have paid your essential expenses, and essential expenses are different for Support at Home and aged care homes. For Support at Home, essential expenses typically include housing costs like rent or mortgage, utilities like electricity and gas, food and groceries, medical costs and medications, insurance premiums and basic living expenses.  

If you have access to less than 15% of the basic age pension amount (or $161.96 per fortnight) after you have paid your essential expenses, you may be eligible for a full fee reduction supplement. If you have access to more than 15% of the basic age pension amount (or $161.96 per fortnight) after you have paid your essential expenses, you may be eligible for a partial fee reduction supplement to lower your contributions, depending on your circumstances and the level of Support at Home you are on.  

 

How do you apply for financial hardship assistance?  

Complete the Aged Care claim for financial hardship assistance form, which asks for details of your assets and expenses, then send the form and your documents to us at the address on the form. You can claim as soon as you’re having trouble paying your costs. Don’t wait until you’re in serious financial crisis. Early application is better.  

 

What information do you need to provide?  

With your form you need to send documents that prove all of your income, assets, and essential expenses. This includes bank statements showing your income and expenses, receipts or invoices for major expenses, proof of housing costs like rent receipts or mortgage statements, utility bills, medical bills and receipts for medications, and any other documentation of your financial situation.  

 

How long does the assessment take?  

Services Australia aims to assess financial hardship assistance claims within 28 days of receiving all the required information and documents. If they need more information from you, the assessment may take longer. They will send you a letter letting you know the outcome of your application and, if approved, how long the assistance will be provided for.  

 

What if you need help with your application?  

You may want to talk to a financial adviser about your finances, and you can receive free financial information and education through Services Australia’s Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSOs) and Financial Information Service (FIS). Aged Care Specialist Officers can help you understand the application process, gather the required documents, and complete the form. Call 1800 227 475 to book an appointment with an ACSO.  

Services Australia will also check if you are eligible for financial assistance from other government programs before granting financial hardship assistance for your aged care costs. This includes checking if you’re receiving all the pension payments or supplements you’re entitled to, whether you qualify for other support programs, and if there are other government benefits that could help your situation. 

Join our information session  

Learn about Support at Home costs and contributions. Sessions run on the first Tuesday every month from 2pm to 3pm. 

 🔗 Click here to register

Key things to keep in mind  

Financial hardship assistance helps people experiencing genuine financial difficulties beyond their control. The government can pay some or all of your contributions if you’re eligible. You must have less than a certain amount of income available after paying essential expenses. You need to complete a form and provide financial documents. Your contributions are suspended while the application is being assessed. Assistance is backdated to your application date if approved. Services Australia checks if you’re eligible for other government help first. Free help is available from Aged Care Specialist Officers. 

  

Where to get help and more information  

  • Call Services Australia Aged Care line on 1800 227 475  
  • Book an Aged Care Specialist Officer appointment on 1800 227 475 for face-to-face support,  
  • Visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au for the application form and information  
  • Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for general aged care questions.