SCIA is urgently calling on the Australian Government to address the disparity in disability support for those who acquire complex disabilities at 65 or older.
The new Aged Care Bill and associated policies such as the new Support at Home Program are being discussed in the Senate NOW.
We are encouraging our members to urgently raise this issue with their local MP (if you are uncertain about who your local MP is by postcode, you can find out by clicking HERE).
Please write a letter (or cut and paste our example letter template below), update it with your personal information and send it to your local MP along with the Policy Briefing asking for a time to meet. If you prefer you can take it in person.
At the meeting you can use your own example or the examples in the Policy Briefing to highlight the issue and the solutions. The more parliamentarians that hear about this glaring inequity the better.
To share your success stories or to join our active group of over 65’s advocating for change – email represetative@scia.org.au
Let’s Act Now!!
Example letter template
Include MP Name
Include MP Address
Include Date
Dear MP Name
Following the passing of the Aged Care Bill into Parliament and the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, I would like to highlight for you, an issue of extreme inequity for people who acquire permanent and complex disability after the age of 64.
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or similar acquired disability can happen in a second, to anyone. Indeed 40% injuries occur in those 65 and over. However, after a lifetime of contributing those who acquire disability over 64 are not adequately supported either in the community or in residential aged care.
If you acquire a disability such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at age 64 you will receive tailored supports through the NDIS, the average amount for a SCI being $150k per annum. If you acquire a disability such as SCI at age 65, you will not have access to disability supports and can only receive up to $60k though a My Aged Care Package. The proposed new aged care funding cap for Support at Home is a maximum of $78k per annum, an amount insufficient for a person with a SCI to remain living at home. This glaring inequity needs our urgent attention and now is a critical time. The Aged Care Bill, with many positive changes provides an opportunity to reconsider this disparity.
My name is [name] and I am a member of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. I acquired my disability [include information] and it impacts me personally in this way [include information].
Attached is a Policy Briefing from SCIA explaining the issue and outlining solutions. I kindly request an interview with you to discuss this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
INSERT NAME