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Funding support
There are many forms of support available in community that could help people in need. Sadly, many of the supports are hard to find, hard to understand, have complex eligibility rules, and can be hard to work with once you are in. We are here to help.
For some people, we simply help find and deliver all the services they need. Others cannot get the help they need without financial support.
LINK works with you and your family to help identify the financial support that is available and helps you navigate through the eligibility rules and ongoing administration.
People are not all the same. Funding support is not all the same. People may be eligible for different forms of funding and support under different programs, different levels of government or other services and organisations. Its complex, messy, hard to find, and sometimes frustrating.
LINK will help bring this together into something that works for you. We will deal with the complexity so you don’t have to.
Help with financial support and eligibility rules
We identify and deliver the services that best fit your needs – and help source available funding and eligibility for those in financial need.
CHSP
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a Commonwealth program that funds services for older people to live independently in their homes and communities, and respite services to give carers a break. The program aims to: help people live as independently as possible; work with them, rather than doing things for them, and give a small amount of help to a large number of people. CHSP is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
LINK helps you get the best out of your CHSP eligibility, delivering quality services directly, in combination with other service, other support, and links to health services, community programs and other support.
CHSP Fee Policy
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers essential, entry-level support to help older individuals maintain their independence. Our CHSP Fee Policy outlines how LINK Community & Transport collects client contributions, ensuring fairness and flexibility, particularly in cases of financial difficulty. The fee schedule may be updated as needed.
Please expand below to see the full policy.
LINK Community & Transport CHSP Fee Policy
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers essential, entry-level support to help older individuals maintain their independence. This Fee Policy outlines how LINK Community & Transport collects client contributions, ensuring fairness and flexibility, particularly in cases of financial difficulty. The fee schedule may be updated as needed.
Key Principles
- Consistency: Clients able to contribute to their care costs are expected to do so, but fees will not exceed the actual cost of services.
- Fairness: Contributions are based on the client’s ability to pay and will not surpass the actual cost of service delivery, considering partnered clients and compensation payments.
- Financial Hardship: Provisions are in place for clients who are unable to meet the requested contributions.
- Reporting: Compliance with grant agreements requires providers to report the amount collected from client contributions.
- Sustainability: Contributions support ongoing and expanded service delivery.
Client Access
Clients will be informed about LINK Community & Transport’s CHSP Fee Policy before services commence. Any changes to the fee schedule or policy will be communicated at least 30 days in advance.
- Support will not be denied due to an inability to pay fees.
- The rights of clients and carers are respected in the fee assessment, setting, and charging process.
Invoicing and Payment Options
- Monthly invoices will be issued and emailed or posted based on client preference.
- Payment options include Credit Card, Electronic Funds Transfer or payment at the Commonwealth Bank payable monthly in arrears.
Our Commitments to Clients
- Fees are determined transparently, accessibly, and fairly.
- Invoices and statements are clear and easy to understand.
- Fees will be reviewed if there are changes in financial circumstances.
- No client will be denied services due to an inability to pay fees.
Client Responsibilities
- Pay the agreed fees or work with LINK Community & Transport for an alternative arrangement if financial circumstances change.
- Provide sufficient information for LINK Community & Transport to determine an appropriate repayment plan.
CHSP Client Contribution Framework
- Fees are only sought from clients with the capacity to pay.
- Fees will not exceed the actual cost of services.
- Clients unable to pay can request a financial hardship consideration.
- Clients should request a fee review if their financial situation changes.
- The Fee Policy is publicly available in electronic and, upon request, hard copy formats.
Handling Non-Payment of Fees
- LINK Community & Transport will contact clients who are over 30 days in arrears to discuss non-payment reasons.
- A review of the client’s ability to pay will be conducted, considering instalment payments or fee reductions if necessary.
- Efforts will be made to agree on a fee with the client, who will be informed of their right to appeal and use advocacy services.
- If the client still fails to pay, a written reminder will be issued, requesting payment within 30 days. The Finance Manager will decide how to manage the debt. Services may be ceased at the discretion of LINK Community & Transport if payment is not made within 60 days of the original due date. The client will be notified in writing and informed of their right to appeal the decision.
No funding? Self Funded? Already registered? Just starting now? With another provider? Feel like you are missing out? Just plain confused!….
Support at Home
Support at Home is an Australian Government program designed to support people with higher care needs to remain living independently at home and in the community.
The program provides access to a range of services tailored to your individual needs, with support based on an assessment process that considers your goals, health and day-to-day living requirements.
LINK helps you navigate the program and make the most of your Support at Home funding.
We deliver high quality group and individual social support, community transport and in-home services in partnership with your Support at Home provider, care manager and other organisations to ensure you receive the support that best meets your needs and helps you remain safe, happy and healthy at home.
LINK Community & Transport CHSP Fee Policy
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers essential, entry-level support to help older individuals maintain their independence. This Fee Policy outlines how LINK Community & Transport collects client contributions, ensuring fairness and flexibility, particularly in cases of financial difficulty. The fee schedule may be updated as needed.
Key Principles
- Consistency: Clients able to contribute to their care costs are expected to do so, but fees will not exceed the actual cost of services.
- Fairness: Contributions are based on the client’s ability to pay and will not surpass the actual cost of service delivery, considering partnered clients and compensation payments.
- Financial Hardship: Provisions are in place for clients who are unable to meet the requested contributions.
- Reporting: Compliance with grant agreements requires providers to report the amount collected from client contributions.
- Sustainability: Contributions support ongoing and expanded service delivery.
Client Access
Clients will be informed about LINK Community & Transport’s CHSP Fee Policy before services commence. Any changes to the fee schedule or policy will be communicated at least 30 days in advance.
- Support will not be denied due to an inability to pay fees.
- The rights of clients and carers are respected in the fee assessment, setting, and charging process.
Invoicing and Payment Options
- Monthly invoices will be issued and emailed or posted based on client preference.
- Payment options include Credit Card, Electronic Funds Transfer or payment at the Commonwealth Bank payable monthly in arrears.
Our Commitments to Clients
- Fees are determined transparently, accessibly, and fairly.
- Invoices and statements are clear and easy to understand.
- Fees will be reviewed if there are changes in financial circumstances.
- No client will be denied services due to an inability to pay fees.
Client Responsibilities
- Pay the agreed fees or work with LINK Community & Transport for an alternative arrangement if financial circumstances change.
- Provide sufficient information for LINK Community & Transport to determine an appropriate repayment plan.
CHSP Client Contribution Framework
- Fees are only sought from clients with the capacity to pay.
- Fees will not exceed the actual cost of services.
- Clients unable to pay can request a financial hardship consideration.
- Clients should request a fee review if their financial situation changes.
- The Fee Policy is publicly available in electronic and, upon request, hard copy formats.
Handling Non-Payment of Fees
- LINK Community & Transport will contact clients who are over 30 days in arrears to discuss non-payment reasons.
- A review of the client’s ability to pay will be conducted, considering instalment payments or fee reductions if necessary.
- Efforts will be made to agree on a fee with the client, who will be informed of their right to appeal and use advocacy services.
- If the client still fails to pay, a written reminder will be issued, requesting payment within 30 days. The Finance Manager will decide how to manage the debt. Services may be ceased at the discretion of LINK Community & Transport if payment is not made within 60 days of the original due date. The client will be notified in writing and informed of their right to appeal the decision.
No funding? Self Funded? Already registered? Just starting now? With another provider? Feel like you are missing out? Just plain confused!….
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to eligible Australians with disability to access the supports they need to live more independently and participate in their community.
LINK helps you navigate your NDIS plan to get the best out of your funding and supports.
We deliver high quality social support, transport and in-home services for agency managed, plan managed and self-managed participants; either directly or through your plan manager, as a stand-alone service or in partnership with councils, community health and other providers.
No funding? Self Funded? Already registered? Just starting now? With another provider? Feel like you are missing out? Just plain confused!….
Self-Funded Support
Self-funded clients are people who either do not meet eligibility criteria for government-funded programs, or who choose not to rely on public funding.
Regardless of funding arrangements, all people should be able to access services that support their independence, wellbeing and participation in the community.
The current service system is largely structured around funded programs, which can make it more difficult for self-funded clients to identify, access and coordinate appropriate supports.
LINK helps address this gap.
We provide clear information, guidance and direct service delivery to support self-funded clients to access services that meet their individual needs and preferences. This includes social support, community participation, community transport and in-home services that support safe and independent living.
Our approach supports:
- Choice and flexibility in how services are delivered
- Access to services without unnecessary complexity
- Continuity and consistency of support
At LINK, self-funded clients are supported to remain safe, happy and healthy at home, while staying connected to their community and living well.
No funding? Self Funded? Already registered? Just starting now? With another provider? Feel like you are missing out? Just plain confused!….
