Flexible Respite and Transitional Packages

Respite

Do you need respite?

Would a break or holiday help you?

Flexible Respite Program

Our Flexible Respite Program has been designed to provide short term funding for planned respite both in and out of the home. It aims to give people with spinal cord injury their family or primary carer’s, choice in obtaining access to flexible respite that is meaningful to them, and provides a positive experience.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the program applicants must meet the following criteria:

have a spinal cord injury;
be a member of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia;
not be covered by any other insurance scheme, including LTCSA, WorkCover, CTP;
be over the age of 18 and live in NSW;
Priority is given to emergency respite requests as received.

Administration

Priority will be given to applicants who did not receive funding in the past 12 months. Exceptionable circumstances may be considered and can be verified by communication with the Respite Coordinator. Clients will be advised that there is a 28 day turnaround between receipt of completed applications and payment. Applicants are to note their responsibilities to provide Spinal Cord Injuries Australia invoices to cover the expenditure under the grant.

What funds can be used for

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Respite Program can assist with funding up to $2,000 per individual. The amount of assistance provided depends on the needs, options and available funding at the time of application. These may include:

One off

partial or full accommodation costs for applicant
transport costs
equipment hire including delivery fees
care costs for holiday

Ongoing

primary carer /family member attending regular activity
participation in sporting activity i.e. regular bowling
care costs to attend sporting event i.e. football
cost of transport to attend regular activity i.e. community activity

Crisis

immediate care services as informal/primary carer unwell
family breakdown
primary carer is unavailable

The Flexible Respite Program is not suitable for individuals seeking ongoing respite nor for individuals wanting access to 24 hour clinical care as it is only designed to provide short term flexible respite.

Application Process

Simply fill out the details on the application form, (ensuring that all sections are completed & documentation is attached) and return to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. (Address details are on the application form). Applications received that are not complete will be returned to the applicant for completion. Applicants are responsible for obtaining all bookings and quotes to support their application.

When completing the funding details section of the application, keep in mind that Spinal Cord Injuries Australia can only approve funding for a three-month block in advance. Once a funded period has been approved, no further applications can be considered until one month after the funded period has ceased.

Your application will be reviewed by an internal panel and then prioritised according to need. If your application is successful you will receive confirmation via mail or email. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted via mail or email. If your application is successful you will receive an approval letter and an evaluation form. The evaluation form needs to be completed and returned to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia at the end of the funded period. This will allow Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to evaluate the benefits of the program. (The evaluation form is available to be completed online here).

Service Providers

We are only able to broker to external organisations that are recognised providers under Ageing Disability & Home Care (ADHC).

Confidentiality

All client records will be maintained within the client’s file and are subject to the security, confidentiality, access and storage requirements as per Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Quality Management System.

Grievance/Complaints Process

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has a grievance and complaints process. Details can be obtained from our office 02 4225 1366.

Who to Contact for further information

For more information about the program contact the Respite Coordinator Chrissie Stevens on 02 4225 1366 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Download the Flexible Respite Funding Information Sheet.

Do you need assistance to get your family involved in the rehabilitation process?

Is there equipment or additional care you will need when you return home?

Transitional Support Packages

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is also able to provide one-off funding to assist people with the transition from the rehabilitation unit to their home following a spinal cord injury.

Operating through our Peer Support Team, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia work closely with the clinical staff within the units to identify and provide additional resources, assistive aids, training, or care outside of that traditionally provided.

The funding will provide solutions to some of the major safety issues people face when they return to the community, ensuring that people who live alone have communication devices, and assisting families to play an active role throughout the rehabilitation process.

In order to be eligible for the program applicants must meet the following criteria:

have a spinal cord injury occurring within the past 18 months;
be a member of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia;
not be covered by any other insurance scheme, including the initials LTCSA, WorkCover, CTP;
not be a staff member of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia;
be over the age of 18; and
live in NSW.

Application Process