Length of assistance

How long you can get aged care financial hardship assistance depends on your situation. We work this out when you claim.

We’ll write to you to let you know both of the following:

  • if we agree to grant your claim for financial hardship assistance
  • how long your financial hardship assistance is granted for.

When financial hardship assistance starts

We can grant financial hardship assistance from the date you need help paying your costs. This can be the date that any of the following applied:

  • you started receiving care (if we received your claim prior to 1 November 2025)
  • you lodged your financial hardship assistance claim
  • you can provide evidence that you meet the criteria for financial hardship assistance.

When financial hardship assistance is ending

If you need ongoing help, it’s important you claim again before your current financial hardship assistance ends. If you don’t, you may need to pay your costs while we’re checking your new claim.

When you need other financial assistance

If you are experiencing severe financial hardship you may be eligible for a payment under your payment’s asset hardship provisions. If you get an Age Pension, Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension you may qualify for the Home Equity Access Scheme.

Page last updated: 20 May 2026.
QC 54078