Reasons to temporarily stop
A participant can pause ongoing services for any reason, including:
- a hospital stay – for treatment or surgery
- transition care – to help them recover after a hospital stay
- residential respite care – due to planned or unplanned circumstances
- other reasons – such as social leave for holidays.
When a participant receives care under another aged care program, they may be able to continue accessing Support at Home services.
For short-term pathways, there is no option to temporarily stop services as funding is only valid for a certain timeframe. For example, Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme funding still expires within the time indicated on a participant’s Notice of Decision and monthly statement.
What happens to ongoing funding
The participant will continue to receive their quarterly budget for ongoing services. Carryover limits still apply to any unspent funds.
If the participant does not receive services for 4 quarters in a row (one year), their funding will be withdrawn.
We will send reminders to the participant to resume services before this occurs.
What the participant should do
The participant should let you know as soon as possible if they need to temporarily stop services.
What you must do
You do not need to report a temporary stop in services to us or Services Australia. But you should:
- continue delivering certain services if agreed (such as gardening)
- continue delivering care management at least once a month, if other services are being delivered
- continue providing a monthly statement, even if you did not provide services
- let them know if you have not delivered services for a while
- make sure they understand what will happen if:
- they stop ongoing services for more than 4 quarters
- they do not use AT-HM funding within the allocated time.
Find out more
Read Chapter 12 (ceasing and temporarily stopping services) in the Support at Home program manual.