Who is eligible and what does it cost?

Who is Eligible?

Home Modification and Maintenance Services are available to eligible Home and Community Care (HACC) clients residing in NSW. For detailed information about the HACC Program click here

Your eligibility will be assessed by your local Home Modification and Maintenance Service (HMMS) or your referring Occupational Therapist.

You are eligible if you are:

A frail aged person or a carer of a frail aged person

Or

A younger person with a disability who requires support and assistance

Or

A person who cares for an adult or a child with a disability

Home Modification and Maintenance Services also meet the needs of, and provide equitable access for special needs groups within the community. These groups include:

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders
• People with dementia
• Financially disadvantaged people
• People living in remote or isolated areas

Important Note

Even though a person may be eligible for Home Modification and Maintenance Services, provision cannot always be guaranteed under the HACC Program. Access to HMMS services is based on relative need with priority-based waiting lists. These waiting lists are determined on a client/carer's functional abilities, medical condition, long-term prognosis and the availability of carer or support services. As modification work can be expensive and time consuming, investigation of alternative options is often part of the assessment process.

Waiting Period

Clients referred to a Home Modification and Maintenance Service (HMMS) may sometimes have to wait before the work they need is carried out. The delay could be due to the availability of funding or excessive workloads experienced by the local Occupational Therapist, HMMS, or contractor. However, this does not mean service will not be provided.

What does it cost and why are fees collected?

Even though HMMS  funded Government are, due to high demand and limited funding, it is necessary to collect contributions from clients. However, if difficulties are experienced paying the required fee, assistance is available and can be negotiated with the staff of each HMMS.

Each HMMS sets its own fee structure reflecting contractor and material costs in each region. Therefore Sydney metropolitan fees may vary from regional, rural and remote fees.

Limited funding and guidelines only allow the supply of functional items deemed necessary by the Occupational Therapist and the HMMS. Extra items may be supplied at the client’s request but the client will need to pay the full cost of these extras.

What does it cost for minor modifications?

The client is asked to pay for the cost of all materials plus a subsidised hourly rate. Where possible, materials are provided at discounted prices. If you have difficulty paying your account, assistance is available and can be negotiated with the staff of each HMMS.

What does it cost for major modifications?

For all major modifications over the value of $5,000, clients will be asked to contribute the first $5,000 of the cost of the job and 20% of the remaining costs.

For example, for a job that will cost $10,000:

• you will be required to pay the first $5,000
• plus 20% on the remaining $5,000 (ie. $1000)
• therefore the client contribution towards the job will be $6,000
• the subsidy the client will recieve equates to $4,000

If you have difficulty paying your account, assistance is available and can be negotiated with the staff of each HMMS.

What does it cost for maintenance and gardening services?

Some HMMS provide maintenance and gardening services to HACC clients at a subsidised rate. Please check with your local HMMS.