Grandparents who provide permanent full-time care for grandchildren who are orphaned or who cannot be cared for by their parents may apply to Child and Family Services (in the Department of Health and Human Services) for a Relatives Allowance. To be eligible for the allowance, grandparents must have taken all possible action to obtain maintenance payments from the person or estate that is liable to support the child.
Grandparents who wish to apply for Relatives Allowance should contact Child and Family Services in their area:
You will be sent an application form and information about the allowance. Following an application, a child protection worker will visit the grandparent’s home to undertake an assessment. If the application is approved, the allowance is payable for up to six months. This can be extended to 12 months if circumstances have not changed. Then there is a review every 12 months.
The Magistrate’s Court (Children’s Division) may find a child ‘at risk’, make a Care and Protection order, and transfer custody (or guardianship) of that child to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Custody and guardianship responsibilities are then delegated to the Department, and are fulfilled by its Care and Protection Workers.
While the Department may place a child who is on a Care and Protection order with foster carers, the preference is usually to place them with a responsible member of their extended family or kin, including grandparents. In most cases this is less disruptive for the child.
To better support placements with relatives, in early 2005 the Department implemented a ‘Formal Kinship Care Program’ that relates specifically to children under a Care and Protection order who have been placed with relatives.
Under the Program, relatives are assessed, trained and approved as carers. A Departmental Care and Protection Worker will work with the carer, other agencies, and relevant community services to develop a care plan to address the child’s specific needs. The written plan will outline the carer’s roles and responsibilities, the Department’s role and responsibilities (which include guardianship decision-making responsibilities), and community support for the placement. Departmental workers monitor the plan and provide ongoing support to the carer and child.
The Department’s responsibility includes financial support. Approved carers, including grandparents, who are caring for children under the Secretary’s custody or guardianship receive the standard level of reimbursement for the day-to-day costs of care of the child.
The Tasmanian Government has produced a Tasmanian Government Concessions booklet that outlines the range of concessions available to Tasmanians. It provides information about whether you may be eligible and who to contact to take advantage of concessions.
Information is provided below about concessions that may be of particular interest to grandparents who are raising grandchildren.
Reduced fares on Metro and Merseylink services are available to holders of a Centrelink-issued Pensioner Concession Card, Seniors Card or War Widows Card. Information is available from Metro Tasmania on 13 22 01 and Merseylink on 1300 367 590.
A discount may also be available on regular passenger services for students, aged pensioners, widows, and unemployed people using transport to seek employment. For information, call Passenger Transport Services on 6233 5197.
Adult dental treatment is subsidised for Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card holders.
A free dental service is available to the dependent children of Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card holders.
For information about these services contact DHHS Oral Health Services on (03) 6214 5411. More detail on dental services is provided in the ‘Health and well-being’ brochure in this series.
Pharmaceutical benefits concessions are available for medications dispensed from public hospitals to outpatients and patients on discharge.
For information about these concessions contact:
Concessions and assistance relating to the cost of education are detailed in the ‘Education and child care’ brochure in this series. In general, information can be obtained from a child’s school, or from the Department of Education’s BSS Service Centre on 1800 816 057.
A Seniors Card is available from the Seniors Bureau. The card is provided free to Tasmanian residents 60 years of age and over who are not in paid employment for more than 20 hours a week. It gives seniors discounts at participating shops, businesses and State government agencies.
The Seniors Card can bring savings on products and services such as automotive supplies, health care and clothing and accessories. These businesses are listed in a directory. To obtain a card you will need to complete an application form, have it witnessed and provide evidence of identity. For more information about the Seniors Card call 1800 678 174.
This page has been produced by the Department of Education
Questions concerning its content may be directed by email to ServiceCentre@education.tas.gov.au or telephone 1800 816 057.
This page was last modified on 15th October 2008. The URL for this page is: http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/parents/grandparents/finance/tasbenefits.
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