About the DSOA Program
The Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program replaced the Commonwealth Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme on 1 July 2021. It provides support to vulnerable older people with disability who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Who is eligible
The DSOA Program is only open to existing CoS clients. To have been eligible for CoS, a person must have been an existing client of state-administered specialist disability services at the time the NDIS commenced in their region and either:
- 65 years and over when the NDIS commenced in their region and assessed as ineligible for the NDIS
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 to 64 years when the NDIS commenced in their region and assessed as ineligible for the NDIS.
DSOA service coordinators receiving requests for support from people who are not existing clients should refer them to My Aged Care for screening and assessment for aged care supports.
What services the program provides
The DSOA Program provides services under an Individual Support Plan (ISP). Service coordinators can:
- deliver support services directly to clients
- subcontract other disability service providers to deliver care and services.
The services must:
- relate to the client’s goals and planned outcomes, including consideration of the needs of the client’s carer
- provide value for money
- include details on pricing and the people who are delivering the services and how the services are being delivered
- be effective and helpful by including processes to review decisions and how complaints can be made should they arise
- plan for unexpected events (like a carer being sick)
- have planned review dates.
Read more about the types of services that can be offered.
Further information
- Considerations when completing your DSOA change of needs application
- Fact sheet for clients
- Fact sheet for service providers
- COVID-19 related expenses January 2022.
Where the program is available
The program is available in all states and territories from 1 July 2021.
Who manages the program
We manage and develop policy for the DSOA Program.
We also enter into grant agreements with service coordinators to deliver DSOA Program services to clients.
Contact
