Funding support
Do you know all of the funding supports that are available to young people?
Here is a list of all of the different sources of financial support that you may be able to access.
Young people aged 16 and over, who have a significant disability and who are not able to work for more than 15 hours a week are able to apply for the DSP.
Click here to read Human Services website page.
Bec – A Disability Champion
There’s a video on the Human Services video channel about a girl called Bec who has autism and who works part time whilst claiming DSP.
Pensioner Concession Card
If you receive the DSP, you can apply for a Pensioner Concession Card.
This allows you to get benefits such as reduced fares on public transport, more refunds for medical expenses through the Medicare Safety Net, reductions in property and water rates and more. See the Department of Human Services website here.
ABSTUDY
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent and not receiving DSP and studying or taking part in a full-time apprenticeship, you may be eligible for ABSTUDY.
Youth Allowance
If you are not receiving DSP and are looking for work or studying, you may be eligible for Youth Allowance.
If you are under 22 and dependent on your parents then there is an income and assets test on your parents’ income.
The rules on Youth Allowance can be complex. Visit your local Centrelink or read more on the Department of Human Services website here.
Mobility Allowance
If you are not able to use public transport without substantial assistance, and are engaging in activities such as studying, seeking work or doing voluntary work, you may be eligible for Mobility Allowance.
You can read about the eligibility and how to apply at the Department of Human Services website here.
Youth Disability Supplement
If you are under 21 and receiving DSP then Youth Disability Supplement is part of that payment.
If you are under 22 and claiming Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY then you may be eligible for Youth Disability Payment.
Discuss this with Centrelink. For more information look at the Department of Human Services website page here.
Pension Education Supplement
If you are receiving DSP and studying full or part time you may be eligible for this payment.
Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply can be found on the Department of Human Services website here.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
This scheme allows people to travel in a taxi at half fare up to a maximum subsidy of $30 per trip.
This means you still need to pay half the cost of a journey.
The TTSS is aimed at people who cannot access public transport because of a qualifying severe and permanent disability.
Applications include a section from your doctor and are then assessed by an independent medical assessor.
Read more on the NSW Department of Transport website here.
Travel Concession Card
If you receive the Disability Support Pension, you will also receive a Pensioner Concession Card.
This allows you to travel for half fare on buses, trains, light rail and ferries.
In NSW you are also entitled to an Opal Concession Card. Opal Cards are the new and convenient way of paying for fares on NSW public transport.
Read more about Opal card concessions here.
Read more about the Pensioner Concession Card here.
NSW Companion Card
People with disability who need a carer to accompany them to events and places can apply for a Companion Card. Using the card, the carer does not need to pay for entry at venues which support the Companion Card program.
A list of venues and events can be found on the website, as can information on how to apply.
Visit the website here or call 1800 893 044
Roads And Maritime Concessions
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, you are exempt from payment of many fees for things like: driving tests, registration and motor vehicle tax.
Read more at the RMS website here.
Funding support
Most young people are not able to support themselves fully straight after leaving school.
This is as true for people with autism as for any other young person.
There are a range of financial supports available for young people with autism and their carers too.
Young people aged 16 and over, who have a significant disability and who are not able to work for more than 15 hours a week are able to apply for the DSP.
Click here to read Human Services website page.
A series of videos are a very useful way to learn about the application process:
The first video explains clearly who can claim Disability Support Pension
Are you eligible for Disability Support Pension?
The next video explains the claim process.
How do I claim for Disability Support Pension?
There’s a video about the medical evidence needed here:
Providing Medical Evidence for Disability Support Pension
You may be referred for a Job Capacity Assessment, a video explains that too.
You can learn more about what happens after your application has been assessed
Possible outcomes of a Disability Support Pension
Bec – A Disability Champion
There’s a video on the Human Services video channel about a girl called Bec who has ASD and who works part time whilst claiming DSP.
Pensioner Concession Card
If you receive the Carers Allowance or your child receives the DSP, you can apply for a Pensioner Concession Card.
This allows for reduced fares on public transport, more refunds for medical expenses through the Medicare Safety Net, reductions in property and water rates and more.
See the Department of Human Services website here.
ABSTUDY
If your family is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent and your child is not receiving DSP and is studying or taking part in a full-time apprenticeship, you may be eligible for ABSTUDY.
Youth Allowance
If your child is not receiving DSP and is looking for work or studying, he or she may be eligible for Youth Allowance.
For young people who are under 22 and dependent on their parents, there is an income and assets test on the parents’ income.
The rules on Youth Allowance can be complex. Visit your local Centrelink or read more on the Department of Human Services website here.
Carer Allowance
Carer Allowance is paid to carers fortnightly and covers any carer who provides additional daily care for a person aged 16 years or over who has a disability, medical condition, or who is frail aged.
When your child turns 16, you have to re-apply for Carer Allowance.
Read more on the Human Services website here.
You can also contact our local Centrelink office to ask more.
Mobility Allowance
Young people who are not able to use public transport without substantial assistance, and are engaging in activities such as studying, seeking work or doing voluntary work, may be eligible for Mobility Allowance.
You can read about the eligibility and how to apply at the Department of Human Services website here.
Youth Disability Supplement
Young people who are under 21 and receiving DSP get Youth Disability Supplement as part of that payment.
Young people aged under 22 and claiming Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY (but not DSP) may be eligible for Youth Disability Payment.
Discuss this with Centrelink. For more information look at the Department of Human Services website page here.
Pension Education Supplement
Young people who are receiving DSP and studying full or part time you may be eligible for this payment.
Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply can be found on the Department of Human Services website here.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
This scheme allows people to travel in a taxi at half fare up to a maximum subsidy of $30 per trip. This means young people still need to pay half the cost of a journey.
The TTSS is aimed at people who cannot access public transport because of a qualifying severe and permanent disability.
Applications include a section from your doctor and are then assessed by an independent medical assessor.
Read more on the NSW Department of Transport website here.
Travel Concession Card
Young people who receive the DSP also receive a Pensioner Concession Card.
This allows travel for half fare on buses, trains, light rail and ferries. Read more on the Transport NSW website:
Read more about the Pensioner Concession Card here.
NSW Companion Card
If your son or daughter needs a carer to accompany them to events and places, you can apply for a Companion Card.
Using the card, the carer does not need to pay for entry at venues which support the Companion Card program.
A list of venues and events can be found on the website, as can information on how to apply.
Visit the website here or call 1800 893 044
Roads And Maritime Concessions
Young people who hold a Pensioner Concession Card are exempt from payment of many fees for things like: driving tests, registration and motor vehicle tax.
Read more at the RMS website here.
My Choice Matters Run Projects
Run Projects was a program that gave people with disability the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5000 to do a project of their choice.
The aim was for people with disability to get more Choice, Voice and Control in their lives by learning a new skill or trying something new. Run Projects also aimed to share recipients learning with others. You can read about some of the projects here.
Respite
You and your family can access a range of respite options that provide positive and meaningful experiences for your child, such as recreation and social activities. At the same time as your family can have a planned short term, time limited breaks from their usual care-giving role.
To access local services in NSW call:
- Your local ADHC Information, referral and intake line. Find your local district’s telephone number on this webpage.
- Call your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre. There is a central number to call initially : 1800 052 222
- Carers NSW has a phoneline 1800 242 636 and website and can offer advice on respite as well as carer support and counselling.
Individual Accommodation Support Packages
ADHC also funds Individual Accommodation Support Packages (IASP)
Individual Accommodation Support Package Guidelines are here.
IASP funding can be used to support your young person to continue to live in the family home.
Contact your ADHC support worker to ask more about this.