Dealing with Centrelink

The Australian Government (through Centrelink) provides assistance for people who must stop work because of their cancer or to care for someone with cancer. It’s worth finding out what’s available for you and your family, so read on for tips about dealing with Centrelink.

Centrelink benefits

There are several Centrelink payments that may be available to people with cancer and their carers, including:

• Disability Support Pension: Financial support if you have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working
• Carer Payment: For carers who provide full-time daily care in the home of the person who is sick.
• Carer Allowance: A supplementary payment for carers who provide a significant amount of assistance, either in their own home or in the home of the person who is sick. The allowance is not means-tested and can be paid even if you are working.
• Child Bereavement Payments: There are various payments available following the death of your child, these are dependent upon your individual circumstances.
• Adult Bereavement Payments: There are various payments available if your partner has passed, these are dependent upon your individual circumstances.

*Note: some of these payments are income and asset tested.*

You may also be eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card or the Health Care Card, which can reduce the cost of medicines and other items.

Dealing with Centrelink

• It might be helpful to start with the Department of Human Services’ online Payment Finder  tool to identify which payments you might be entitled to claim.
• Some payments/allowances can be claimed online. You will need a Centrelink online account, which is linked to your myGov account. While paper forms do still exist, they can only be used in special circumstances and won’t be issued normally. If you don’t have a myGov account set up or a Customer Reference Number (CRN), you will need to either call Centrelink or visit a Service Centre in person before you can start a claim.
• If you need help or to set up an account, call Centrelink on 132 717. There’s a good chance you’ll be on hold for a while, so make yourself a cup of tea and get comfortable before you dial.

Useful sites/resources

For more information about Centrelink payments and entitlement, visit humanservices.gov.au 

Parenting Through Cancer