Support at Home lifetime cap: What you need to know

Support at Home lifetime cap at a glance

• Standard arrangements (you were approved for a Home Care Package or Support at Home after 13 September 2024): $137,917.01 indexed lifetime cap
• No worse off customers (you were receiving a Home Care Package or approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024: $86,185.23 indexed lifetime cap
  • Annual cap: No separate annual cap applies to Support at Home contributions
  • Who determines your contribution? Services Australia, based on your income and assets
  • Need an estimate? Use the My Aged Care Support at Home fee estimator
  • Changed from Home Care to residential care? Relevant previous contributions can count towards your lifetime cap

What is the Support at Home lifetime cap?

The Support at Home lifetime cap is a limit on the total amount you can be asked to contribute towards certain Support at Home services over your lifetime.

For people on the standard Support at Home fee arrangements, the current lifetime cap is $137,917.01. This amount is indexed and can change over time.

Once you reach your lifetime cap, you will no longer have to pay contributions towards the services covered by the cap. The lifetime cap also follows you if your care arrangements change. For example, contributions you make while receiving Support at Home can count towards your lifetime cap if you later move into a residential aged care home.

What if I was already receiving a Home Care Package?

If you were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you are protected by the Government’s no worse off principle.

This means your contributions under Support at Home will be the same as, or lower than, what you would have paid under the previous Home Care Packages arrangements.

You will also retain the lower lifetime cap that applies to your previous arrangements. The current indexed amount is $86,185.23. Services Australia will let you and us (Juniper), your provider, know when you reach your lifetime cap.

Is there an annual cap on aged care fees?

An annual cap limits the amount you can be asked to pay towards certain aged care fees during a particular period. A lifetime cap limits the total amount you can pay over your lifetime.

The rules aren’t the same across all aged care programs. Under the current Support at Home arrangements, there is a lifetime cap on relevant participant contributions. There is not a separate annual cap on these Support at Home contributions in the same way there is for some fees under older residential aged care arrangements.

Your contribution is based on the type of service you receive and your financial circumstances, so the amount you pay can vary.

How much will I contribute under Support at Home?

Your contribution depends on your income and assets, as well as the type of service you receive.

Support at Home divides services into different categories:

• Clinical Services, such as nursing, physiotherapy, and personal care have no participant contribution.
• Independence Services, such as transport and social support, generally have a moderate contribution.
• Everyday Services, such as domestic assistance, gardening and meal preparation, generally have a higher contribution.

Your individual contribution rate is determined through an income and assets assessment. You only contribute towards the services you receive. Juniper can explain your contribution rates and help you understand the costs of the services you choose.

What counts towards the lifetime cap?

Your contributions towards eligible Support at Home services count towards your lifetime cap. This includes relevant contributions for services provided through Support at Home.

The lifetime cap is cumulative. In other words, you don’t start again from zero if your circumstances change or you move between different types of aged care. Your previous contributions can continue to count towards the cap. This is particularly important if you later move from receiving care at home into residential aged care.

Does Support at Home equipment funding count towards the lifetime cap?

Support at Home includes separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme.

This funding is separate from your ongoing quarterly Support at Home budget. It can help eligible participants access equipment and modifications that support independence and make their home safer and more accessible.

Examples include:

• walking frames and wheelchairs
• shower chairs and other bathing equipment
• handrails
• ramps
• stair lifts
• bathroom modifications
• widening doorways.

You may still need to make a contribution towards some equipment and home modifications, depending on your circumstances and the type of support you receive. Any co-contributions contribute towards your lifetime cap.

The AT-HM scheme is separate from your ongoing Support at Home budget, so it’s important not to assume that all equipment funding works in exactly the same way as your regular Home Care funding.

Can I use a Support at Home contribution calculator?

Yes. My Aged Care Support at Home fee estimator that can help you estimate how much you may need to contribute towards your care.

The estimator considers information about your financial circumstances and the services you receive. It can be useful when you’re planning your budget, but it is only an estimate. Your actual contribution rate is determined following your income and assets assessment.

What happens when I reach my lifetime cap?

You don’t need to apply to reach your lifetime cap. Services Australia keeps track of your contributions and will notify you and your provider when you reach the cap. Once you reach your lifetime cap, you will no longer need to pay the relevant contributions covered by the cap. Your provider will continue to work with you to deliver the services in your support plan.