You Do not Have to Face Aged Care Costs Alone

This guide walks you through what Financial Hardship Assistance is, who’s eligible, how the process works, and how Chris Barnard Health supports you through it, because navigating aged care funding shouldn’t add to an already stressful time. 

What is Financial Hardship Assistance? 

Financial Hardship Assistance is an Australian Government program designed to help people who, for reasons beyond their control, can’t afford their aged care costs. It’s available to people receiving Support at Home services, as well as those in residential aged care for permanent or respite care. 

Each application is assessed individually. If you’re found eligible, the government will pay some — or in some cases, all — of your fees and contributions directly to your provider, helping ensure cost is never the reason you go without the care you need. 

Who Can Apply? 

Eligibility for financial hardship assistance depends on a few key factors. To apply, you generally need to: 

• Have already completed an income and assets assessment for aged care purposes, either through your Support at Home assessment or a means assessment for residential care.
• Have assets valued at no more than $45,969.30 (excluding any assets that can’t be sold or borrowed against, such as certain unrealisable assets). This threshold is set at 1.5 times the annual basic age pension with supplements.
• Not have gifted more than the allowable limits — currently no more than $10,000 in the current financial year, and no more than $30,000 across the past five financial years combined.

Beyond these core criteria, Services Australia also considers other factors during the assessment, including any unrealisable assets you hold and your essential living expenses. This means the process looks at your whole financial picture, not just a single number. 

How Do You Apply? 

If you meet the eligibility criteria, the application process involves a few clear steps: 

1. Complete the Aged Care Claim for Financial Hardship Assistance form (SA462) and lodge it with Services Australia.
2. Provide supporting evidence, including evidence of your expenses from the previous three months.
3. Wait for assessment — Services Australia will review your application and may request additional information if needed.

You can apply for hardship assistance either before you start receiving aged care services, or at any point after you’ve started receiving care, if your financial circumstances change and you find yourself unable to keep up with fees or contributions. 

What If You’re Not Eligible? 

Not everyone will meet the criteria for financial hardship assistance, and that’s okay — there are still other avenues worth exploring: 

• Seek independent financial advice tailored to your specific situation.
• Book a face-to-face appointment with Services Australia’s Aged Care Specialist Officers.
• Access the Financial Information Service (FIS) — a free, independent financial education service.
• Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 for free, confidential support and information.

It’s also worth having an open conversation with your provider about your options — sometimes there’s more flexibility than people expect. 

How Chris Barnard Health Supports You Through This Process 

At Chris Barnard Health, we understand that talking about money and aged care costs can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already managing health changes, family decisions, and day-to-day care needs. That’s why we make it a priority to walk alongside our clients through every part of this process, not just the care itself. 

A dedicated Care Partner, every step of the way. 

When you become a Chris Barnard Health client, you’re paired with a Care Partner who takes the time to understand your situation and can help guide you through the financial hardship application process — including helping you understand what evidence you’ll need and what to expect along the way. You’re never left to figure this out alone. 

Clear, simple monthly statements. 

We know that aged care funding can already feel confusing, so we’ve made sure our monthly statements are straightforward and easy to understand — showing exactly what’s been spent, what the government has contributed, and what (if anything) you’re responsible for. No jargon, no surprises, and no trying to make things more complicated than they need to be. 

Privately funded Support at Home, if you need to bridge the gap. 

If you’re waiting on a funding decision, or if your approved funding doesn’t quite stretch far enough to cover everything you need, we offer privately funded Support at Home services. This means you don’t have to pause your care while paperwork is being processed — we can help you decide what’s most important in the meantime, or you can choose to contribute privately to make up the difference. 

Proactive help making the most of your budget. 

Beyond hardship assistance, our Care Partners also help clients avoid losing unspent quarterly funding under the “Use It or Lose It” rule — whether that’s booking in extra cleaning, meal preparation, allied health appointments, or reviewing your Care Plan if you consistently have funds left over. Getting the most value from your existing budget is just as important as understanding hardship support. 

You Don’t Have to Navigate this Alone 

Whether you’re just starting to explore Support at Home, already receiving care and finding costs difficult to manage, or simply want to understand your options before things become urgent, the team at Chris Barnard Health is here to help you make sense of it all — with warmth, clarity, and genuine care. 

If you’re worried about affording your aged care costs, don’t wait until it becomes a crisis. Reach out to your Care Partner today or give our team a call on 1300 602 469. We’re here to help you find the right path forward, every step of the way. 

 This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Eligibility criteria and thresholds for Financial Hardship Assistance are set by Services Australia and may change — for the most current details, visit myagedcare.gov.au or speak with your Care Partner. 

 By Annelize Bekker, Chris Barnard Health