EnableNSW
People over 65 who have a disability are excluded from EnableNSW, NSW’s disability aids and equipment scheme.
People eligible for, or already receiving (federal) Home Care Packages are ineligible to receive assistance under EnableNSW. This group is left with no other option than to try to finance their aids and equipment through their Home Care Package.
But Home Care Packages are not intended to pay for aids and equipment.
Many people in this situation will have no funds or not enough funds available for aids and equipment, especially as the average wait time for a Home Care
Package is now over twelve months and some people are assigned low level interim packages.
If a person tries to use their Home Care Package to buy or rent disability aids and equipment, they have to sacrifice the purchase of other home care services.
This is out of step with other states and territories, where people accessing Home Care Packages can also access their state’s disability aids and equipment scheme.
It is totally unacceptable that a large proportion of older people with disability are unable to access the aids and equipment they need. People of any age with disability need fair access to aids and equipment to give them independence and promote their wellbeing.
CPSA calls on the NSW Government to allow people receiving Home Care Packages to also be able to use EnableNSW.
