Everything You Need To Know About Level 2 Home Care Packages

Home Care Package - Level 2

Home Care Packages provided through the My Aged Care system, distribute funding to help older Australians live independently in their own homes and access affordable care services. This funding is provided by the Australian Government. You can use this funding to get someone to assist you with your housework, laundry, personal care, or grocery shopping.

The My Aged Care system can be very confusing at first and it can take some time to understand it properly. In a nutshell, older Australians have varying needs for care and as a result, Home Care Packages are offered across four different levels that provide different levels of funding. A Level 1 home care package is the lowest tier of home care package funding. Level 2 provides the next level of funding above this.

Your home care package level will determine how much support you can receive. A level 2 home care package provides around 4 hours of support per week which could be used for a couple of visits from a support worker.

Home Care Packages vs Aged Care Home Subsidy vs Commonwealth Home Support Programme

Aged care support from the Australian government comes in three different forms.

The Commonwealth Home Support (CHSP) is for older Australians who are doing ok on their own, but need some help with a couple of things to help them stay in their own home.

Home Care Packages are for older people who need more in-home care than CHSP can provide to stay in their own homes. Once again, the goal of a home care package is to help you live at home for as long as possible.

Funding is also available in the form of a subsidy, to support you if you need to enter residential aged care. Like the other levels of support, this is means-tested.

What Is The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)?

If you're receiving a Level 2 home care package, it's possible you've had a fair bit to do with ACAT assessments already. The ACAT determines what level of funding you're entitled to. ACAT assessors consider all sorts of things when they make their assessments. This could include your medical situation, your physical and psychological status and your social situation.

Who Qualifies for a Level 2 Package?

You need to be 65 years of age or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians) to receive a home care package.

Level 2 Home Care Packages are the second lowest level of home care package for those with low-level care needs. People who are assessed as needing Level 2 Home Care Packages need more support than Level 1 recipients to remain living at home, but less support than those on Level 3 or 4 Home Care Packages.

If you have a level 2 Home Care Package, you have been assessed as having low-level care needs. You do not require complex care.

How Much Do I Receive With a Level 2 Care Package?

Your Level 2 Home Care Package is made up of:

• The Government contribution

• An additional contribution from you, which includes:

  • The basic daily fee

  • The income-tested care fee

  • Additional fees you have agreed to pay.

Your home care package - level 2, covers the cost of your care services and your package management costs from your chosen provider.

For a Level 2 Home Care Package, you receive a government subsidy of $49.49 per day or $692.86 per fortnight. This is the amount that the government contributes.

The subsidy is reviewed on 1 July. This figure is accurate as of 1 July 2023.

The subsidy doesn't affect your pension and is paid directly to your home care provider. It is reduced by the amount you pay in your income-tested fee.

Fees

The Basic Daily Fee

This is a fee that everyone who gets an in-home care package has to pay.

As of 20 March 2024, the fee for Level 2 Home Care Packages is $12.08 per day or $169.12 per fortnight.

The Income Tested Care Fee

This fee is an additional contribution some individuals pay as a result of their financial situation. It's important to remember that not everyone has to pay an income tested fee. The amount you pay is determined by an income assessment by Services Australia which takes into account your pension.

My Aged Care Fee Estimator

You can calculate your fee with the Fee Estimator tool. This can give you a good idea of how much you might be looking at paying before you do a formal income assessment with the ACAT team.

Expected Wait Time

If you've been assessed as eligible for a Level 2 package, it can still take some time to receive this funding. The time it takes depends on your package level.

The urgency of your need for services can also affect the wait time. For those with medium priority, the expected wait time for a Level 2 package is 3-6 months.

What Does My Budget Cover?

Your Level 2 Home Care Package funds can be used for a range of in-home services, addressing care needs such as:

• Personal Care: Assistance with showering, morning routines, continence management and other basic care.

• Domestic Assistance: Help with day to day tasks to maintain a clean and tidy home, including a wide range of everyday tasks and home care services provided by support workers.

• Meal Preparation: Ensuring you consume healthy and nourishing meals.

• Shopping Assistance and Transport to Appointments: Facilitating grocery purchases and travel to appointments and other daily tasks.

• Social Support: Engaging in hobbies, community activities, and providing companionship with the assistance of a care worker.

• Garden Maintenance: Maintaining your garden to keep your living environment safe and pleasant.

• Equipment: Including basic care equipment such as walking frames and wheelchairs.

• Minor Home Modifications: Including installations like ramps to improve home accessibility.

• Nursing Care: Basic nursing care services such as nursing and physiotherapy.

What Does My Budget Not Cover?

Level 2 Home Care Package funds cannot be used for:

• Items typically purchased with general income.

• Buying food, except as required for a feeding tube.

• Paying for permanent accommodation, such as buying a home, paying your mortgage, or rent.

• Covering your home care package fees.

• Home modifications that are unrelated to your care needs.

• Holiday travel and accommodation.

• Entertainment costs.

• Services and items already covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

What If I Need a Level 3 Package?

If you feel as though you need to be on a higher home care package level than Level 2, you will need to contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team.

In order to get a reassessment, you'll need to explain your current situation and why you feel as though you need to move to a higher level of funding. It's important to realise though that ACAT will need specific examples of how your health or living situation has changed. Only with this information can they justify moving you to a higher home care package level.

How Do Home Care Providers Work?

Your home care package provider is responsible for providing the support services funded by your home care package. A quality provider like Focus Care will help you to manage the funds you've bee allocated and use them most effectively. They also help you receive assistance focused on your needs by managing your care plan.

Home care providers are chosen by you. You also have the option of changing home care providers when you want to. This let you choose a provider that's going to best suit you needs and values. The My Aged Care Find a Provider tool is a great place to start when looking for a home care provider near you.

When choosing a home care provider, make sure you consider the types of services you need, the quality of care your provider will offer and any additional costs the provider may charge you.

Quality Home Care Providers - Focus Care

It's important to do your own research when deciding upon you chosen home care service provider. One great way to get the ball rolling is to pick up the phone and speak to someone for some expert advice. You can call us at Focus Care any time and we'll be happy to answer any questions you have about your home care package.

Not all home care providers offer the same services. In addition to personal care, cleaning, cooking and other routine services, quality providers like Focus Care provide other specialist services such as art therapy and pet therapy, that can make a huge difference to your quality of life.

Whether you've moved from a level 1 to a level 2 package, or you've just been assessed for the first time, our team is always here to talk about your needs and how we can best support you. Feel to reach out and discuss the support you need for your family member or yourself.