Short Description

This Home and Community Care (HACC) programme provides subsidised assistance to people who require modifications to their home to assist them conduct daily living activities and remain independent. It is available to home owners, mortgagees or private renters who are ageing, have a disability or care for someone at home who is ageing or has a disability.

More Details

The Scheme is divided into 3 levels:
Level 1
*For modifications with total cost up to $5000
*Funding for this part of the scheme is administered through the local area HACC offices.
*Client pays full cost of modifications up to $5000. Labour costs of HACC builders are subsidised by HACC so are cheaper than private builder costs. HACC builders also have extensive experience in modifications for people with disabilities. These jobs are approved by the manager of the local service. There may be a waiting list for work to be completed.

Level 2
*For modifications with total cost between $5000 and $20,000
The funding is administered through the regional area HACC offices
These offices encompass the local HACC offices within the region.
*The amount which the client pays for the cost of these modifications is determined by the regional HACC office which covers the area in which the client lives. A subsidy is available from the State Government in some circumstances depending on the level of work needed. These applications are approved by a committee, with representatives from each of the local schemes within the region, as well as an occupational therapist and a chair person. Contact your local scheme for details.

Level 3
For modification with total cost over $20,000
The funding is administered by one central office for all of NSW (based at Kurri Kurri). A committee approves the funding for these applications and allocates that funding to the regional office from which the application was forwarded. The builders from the regional office undertake the work. The regional office determines the amount which the client pays for the work. It will be less than 50%.

The Application Process
All applications require an Occupational Therapy assessment recommending the modifications required. Any willing OT can undertake this assessment. OT's can be located through the community / outpatient OT department of the local hospital, the local Aged Care Assessment Team or a private therapist.
All applications are forwarded to the local HACC office for consideration. A quote is devised, based on the OT's recommendations, and forwarded onto the appropriate level scheme, based on the amount of money the modification will cost. The client may call their local HACC office to find out further details of how their local HACC scheme works and what percentage of the cost they are likely to pay if the work is over $5000.

*This scheme is not means tested, but priority may be given on a needs basis.
*Interpreter service available