How does Local Guardians receive Home Care Package funding?

Local Guardians may receive funding for Home Care Packages through the Improved Payment System. Under this system, funding is no longer provided in advance, but rather reimbursed for the invoices paid during the previous month. The government holds the balance of the funds, and they become accessible when needed.

The process to access HCP funds is as follows:

• On the first day of the new month, Local Guardians lodge a reimbursement claim for the previous month.
• Services Australia verifies the claim before sending a remittance to Local Guardians.
• The funds are then allocated to the relevant client account, and changes become visible on the statement.
• This process usually takes place within the first week of the new month, but it may be delayed if there are public holidays in the first few days of the month.

It is important to note that while the funding process has changed under the Improved Payment System, the amount of funding available to clients has not changed.