Temporary Financial Hardship for Families

With so much uncertainty at the moment we need to let our families know that there is help for them to keep their child/ren enrolled in services. In fact if your family is facing hardship you may be able to up to 13 weeks childcare.

What is the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)

Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is a short-term payment from the Australian Government to help families experiencing significant financial stress with the cost of child care. This payment will help with the continuity of child care for children and provide support to families when they need it most.

Who can get the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)?

Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is available to families who are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (which can be applied for at the same time) and where an individual is experiencing temporary financial hardship which has caused a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees due to:

• the death of a partner or child of the individual

• unexpected loss of employment of the individual, or a partner of the individual, other than due to resignation or retirement

• loss of income or business failure of an individual, or the partner of the individual, due to circumstances outside of their, or their partner’s, control (such as serious illness)

• loss of income of the individual, due to the death of a former partner who was providing ongoing financial assistance in relation to their child

• the individual, or their partner, has been adversely affected by a major disaster event

• destruction of, or severe damage to, the individual, or their partner’s, home

• the individual having to leave home and not being able to return because of an extreme circumstance (such as domestic violence)

• where an individual is still living at home and a family member has left or has been removed because of domestic violence against the individual.

To receive the subsidy, families need to apply for temporary financial hardship assistance within six months from the date of the event. Evidence will be required to support the application and may include, but is not limited to, a letter from an employer (for loss of job), statutory declaration outlining the nature of the temporary hardship, medical certificate or death certificate.

Evidence will also need to show the circumstance/event occurred within six months from the date of application and identify how the event has resulted in a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees.

How many hours of child care subsidy will an eligible family receive?

Families who are eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) will not have to meet the activity test. This means they will be entitled to access up to 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight.

Eligible families will receive a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged by the child care service, up to 120 per cent of the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate cap, whichever is lower. In mostcases, the full cost of child care will be covered.

How will the subsidy be paid?

The Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is paid directly to child care providers to reduce the cost of child care fees. The subsidy is paid for a maximum of 13 weeks per event.

How do families apply for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)?

Families can apply for the subsidy by accessing their Centrelink online account through myGov or by visiting a Centrelink office and applying in person.

What if a family’s circumstances change?

Families need to let Centrelink know as soon as possible if their circumstances change that might affect their eligibility for this additional subsidy.

Where can I get further information on the Child Care Package?

Department of Education, Skills and Employment Child Care Package: dese.gov.au/ecc

Services Australia Child Care Subsidy: servicesaustralia.gov.au/childcaresubsidy

More Information- https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/additional-child-care-subsidy/how-apply/applying-during-temporary-financial-hardship

Reference education.gov.au