If you have a Home Care Package, it’s important to ensure you are getting the most out of your home care package funding.

Your Home Care Package, your budget

Consumer Directed Care continues to grow in popularity, yet many Australians remain unaware of the control and flexibility they are entitled to. If you are currently receiving support under a Home Care Package in Australia, your package level will determine the annual budget you have available to spend on support services.

The Department of Health recommends providers work with clients to develop a support plan that considers their needs and goals. This conversation should also examine how you will spend your Home Care Package funds.

The reality for many people is often quite different. Many clients are advised the hours of support each week that their level of package ‘entitles’ them to, with the hours seemingly predetermined. Additionally, little clarity exists around how their budget is allocated and whether they have the flexibility to demand they are getting the best value for money.

What are unspent funds?

Unspent funds accumulate when an individual’s support plan does not use all the money available under their current Home Care Package level.

Why your Home Care Package funds may accumulate

There are many reasons why your government subsidy may not be completely used. Some consumers on a waiting list for a higher level package may have their package level increased, with their services remaining the same for some time. Consumers are also able to save up funds for any unforeseen future events like an illness or injury.

Understand your Home Care Package budget and how to spend it

Regardless of the reason, unspent funds have highlighted the need for greater transparency around their Home Care Package budgets and how they can be spent. Providers will often differ on what individuals can spend their money on. Your home care package funds can be spent on items that can be proven to contribute to your health and wellbeing and/or linked to your support plan. However, providers interpret this differently, with some only allowing for services that meet your direct support needs.

However, Home Care Package funds cannot be used for certain things, including:

• items that you would usually buy out of your general income
• the purchase of food, except as part of enteral feeding requirements
• payment for permanent accommodation or home modifications that are not related to your care needs
• travel and accommodation for holidays
• cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships, tickets to sporting events or for gambling activities
• payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Take control of your home care package funding

Through Mable, you can self-manage your Home Care Package, which means you choose the people who support you, what services you want and when you want these services.

Mable gives you an accessible, easy, efficient and safe online platform to find independent support workers from your local area. By self-managing your Home Care Package, you can get more hours of support out of your package. By choosing Mable, you pay lower administration fees, which means more of your package is available for you to spend on support. Find out more about self-managing your Home Care Package through Mable.