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Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged
- How can the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (AHCA) program help me?
- Eligibility
- What services are provided?
- Who provides the assistance?
- Cost
- Rights and responsibilities
- How to make a complaint
- Want more information?
How can the AHCA program help me?
The Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program is designed to help frail, low income older people who are renting, in insecure housing or who are homeless, to remain in the community. If you, or the person you are caring for, is in this situation then support can be given through help with accessing the right kind of housing and community care specific to your needs.Eligibility
You may be eligible for ACHA if you are a frail older person with support needs:- in rental accommodation
- in insecure accommodation, and
- who is homeless.
What services are provided through ACHA?
This flexible program is intended to ensure that your needs are met in the most appropriate way. This can be achieved either through helping you to access the many existing community care services or by providing you with a range of basic support through:- linking you to suitable care options by:
o discussing the possible care and housing options
o referring you to Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) and following up their recommendations
o referring you to Home and Community Care (more information) services
o referring you to other community care services such as Community Aged Care Packages (more information)
o referring you to other health related services, and
o negotiating with services on your behalf where appropriate.
- linking you to housing services by:
o assisting you to find appropriate accommodation, this could include a range of activities such as: locating suitable accommodation, providing advice on housing application forms and coordinating the move, and
o assisting you to access accommodation related financial or legal assistance, for example: rent relief, bond assistance, tenancy advice and legal services.
Who will provide assistance?
ACHA is coordinated by each state or territory Department of Health and Ageing office. Organisations who are affiliated with ACHA provide support through paid workers and/or volunteers. The primary role of these workers is to link you to appropriate mainstream housing and/or care services.Cost
An organisation may charge you an ongoing fee as a contribution to the cost of personal care services only. You may not be charged more than 8% of the single maximum basic rate of the age pension (excluding rent assistance and pharmaceutical allowance). Organisations should ensure that you are able to maintain a sufficient disposable income and financial independence. This will include whether or not you are paying for care services.Rights and responsibilities
Services offered through ACHA are all overseen by the state and territory’s Department of Health and Ageing. Each organisation must:- have a commitment to the principles and aims of the ACHA program
- have a commitment to the philosophy and goals of community services provision to ensure flexible services are tailored to your needs
- must supervise, manage and further develop the services that they offer
- provide a plan that combines ACHA with other available services
- ensures accountability, and
- have a demonstrated experience and knowledge of community care and housing systems.
How to make a complaint
Any instances regarding a lodgement of complaint should be referred directly to your local Department of Health and Ageing. These contact details can be found in the ‘Talk to someone about this’ feature in the blue box.Want more information?
If you would like more information about any aspect of ACHA, contact your local Department of Health and Ageing.Read more: Useful government contacts
Common questions on this topic:
- Do we have to pay for Home and Community Care services?
- How do I arrange for an ACAT assessment?
- What assistance is available as people get older?
See all common questions
