Short-term support when you are unwell: Community Assistance and Temporary Supports Program

You and/or your carer may be able to get help through the Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) Program if you need short-term support for a health issue, illness or injury.

These support services can help you stay well at home and may prevent you from going to hospital.

If you do go to hospital, the program can help you return home safely. These supports can also help you apply for longer-term support programs if required.

Who can apply

You must:

  • Live in the ACT.

You must also meet one of the following:

  • Be ready to leave hospital but unable to access the supports to help you return home safely through an existing program such as the NDIS or Commonwealth aged care programs.
  • Have a health condition* that is temporary or terminal and not likely to get assistance through another program such as the NDIS or Commonwealth aged care programs.
  • Have a health condition* that is significant and permanent, and either be in the process of applying for or appealing an application for supports through another program such as the NDIS or Commonwealth aged care programs.

* Health conditions for the CATS Program include health and mental health conditions.

Carers are also eligible for specific supports if they are an unpaid carer, or a direct family member living with, a person who meets the eligibility requirements of the program.

You can be of any age to access supports through the CATS Program.

Services

You may be able to get help with:

  • providing connected support for when you are discharged from hospital to home
  • Individual Advocacy – helping you uphold your rights when accessing the program including accessing information and resolving issues
  • carer and care relationship supports – building skills, engage in self-care and ensure your wellbeing when you are a carer
  • care coordination –identifying and arranging access to community supports to help you recover
  • personal care helping you with showering, toileting, eating and drinking, getting in and out of bed, and supporting you at medical appointments
  • domestic assistance – helping you with house cleaning, dishwashing, and washing clothes and linen
  • medical and allied health transport – transport to go to medical and allied health appointments as part of your recovery
  • food services – helping you with the provision or delivery of healthy food to support your recovery
  • bridging supports – supporting you to access and apply for longer-term assistance if required such as the NDIS or aged care programs
  • some types of non-medical equipment (up to $500).

How to apply

Step 1 - Check if you are eligible for services and if the services available are right for you.

Step 2 - Choose a service and contact a provider listed so they can confirm that you are eligible to apply, discuss your needs and conduct an assessment.

There may be waiting times before services start. If your situation and needs change while you are waiting, contact your provider to let them know what has changed.

Fees

There are currently no fees to access services through the CATS program.

CATS Program services and providers

You can find the contact details of service providers in the CATS Program below.

Provider

Service type

Phone number

Email

ADACAS

Individual advocacy

6242 5060

adacas@adacas.org.au

Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT

Care coordination

6278 8480

 

Carers ACT

Post Hospital Support Program (PHSP) is designed to plan and deliver non-clinical support required to enable a patient to safely discharge from hospital to home or a community setting.

 

Please note that post-hospital supports can only be arranged through ACT public hospitals.

Carers ACT

Carer and care relationship supports

6296 9900

group.programs@carersact.org.au

Capital Region Community Services

Medical and allied health transport

6278 8124

transport@crcs.com.au

Community Services #1

Care coordination

Bridging supports

6126 4700

CATS@communityservices1.org

Life Without Barriers

Personal care

Domestic Assistance

6213 1790

CATS@lwb.org.au

Northside Community Service

Personal care

Domestic Assistance

Food services

6171 8088

intake@northside.asn.au

Resources for participants

Information for CATS Service Providers

Page last updated on: 26 Oct 2023