Not everyone has the benefit of family and friends to care for their children when they are placed on hospital bedrest or when their baby is admitted to the neonatal unit. It isn't always financially possible for the husband/partner to stop work to care for other children and their wife/partner for an indefinite period either.
Some families may be eligible to apply for the Special Child Care Benefit before 2/7/18 renamed the Additional Child Care Subsidy after 2/7/18 and we have collated some of information here for you. You should speak with your hospital social worker to obtain the necessary support for your application.
Special Child Care Benefit before 2/7/18
Special Child Care Benefit (SCCB) is available for a child whose family may be experiencing hardship- it helps by maintaining access to child care while the family adapts to the new circumstances.
SCCB can be used even if the family is not eligible for Child Care Benefit or has not yet been assessed for eligibility.
Staff at a child care service can complete a SCCB application form and then they email it to the CMMS (Child Care Management System)
Claim limit of 13 weeks per financial year- any claim above 13 weeks needs to be approved by Dept Human Services.
Additional Child Care Subsidy after 2/7/18
The Additional Child Care Subsidy is a top up payment in addition to the Child Care Subsidy which will provide targeted additional fee assistance to families and children facing barriers in accessing affordable child care.
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (Temporary Financial Hardship) will provide short-term increased child care fee assistance to families who are experiencing significant financial stress due to exceptional circumstances, to ensure continuity of care. Eligible families will receive a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged, up to 120% of the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate cap, for up to 100 hours per fortnight. The family will not have to meet activity test requirements. This support will be provided for a maximum of 13 weeks per event.
Additional Child Care Subsidy (Child Wellbeing) will provide assistance to families that are in circumstances that require practical help to support their child's safety and wellbeing.
Eligible families will receive a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged, up to 120% of the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate cap, for up to 100 hours per fortnight. The family will not have to meet activity test requirements.
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (Transition to Work) will provide support to families who are transitioning to work from income support by engaging in work, study or training activities.
To be eligible for Transition to Work, families need to:
receive one of the following payments:
- Parenting Payment
- Newstart Allowance
Disability Support Pension
Youth Allowance
a payment prescribed by the Minister's rules.
have a Job Plan in effect (employment pathway plan within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth), or a participation plan under section 94B of the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth).
Transition to Work provides a subsidy of 95% of the actual fee charged up to 95% of the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate cap. Hours of assistance will be determined by the Child Care Subsidy activity test. Individuals may continue to receive the subsidy for 12 weeks after they gain employment and their income support payments cease.
The New Child Care Package Overview can be found here with further information.