Carer Payment Enquiry

1. Centrelink Officer · turn 1

   Good morning. How can I help you today?

   早安。今天有甚麼可以幫到您的？

2. Carer · turn 2

   你好。我今天是想替我爸爸問一下照顧者津貼的事情。他最近身體狀況很差，需要我每天照顧。我現在還在上班，但已經很難同時兼顧工作和照顧他了，所以想了解一下 Centrelink 有沒有甚麼援助。

   Hello. I’m here today to ask about carer benefits for my father. His health has been very poor recently, and he needs my care every day. I’m still working, but it has become very difficult to balance my job with caring for him, so I’d like to find out what assistance Centrelink may provide.

3. Centrelink Officer · turn 3

   Certainly. There are two main payments that may be relevant: Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. Carer Payment is an income-support payment for people who provide constant care to someone with a disability, medical condition or who is frail aged. Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment for people who provide additional daily care and attention. The eligibility requirements are different, so we would need to look at your circumstances and your father's condition.

   當然可以。可能與您有關的主要款項有兩種：照顧者付款和照顧者津貼。照顧者付款是一項收入補助，適用於持續照顧殘疾人士、患病人士或年老體弱人士的人。照顧者津貼則是一項補充款項，適用於每天提供額外照顧和關注的人。兩者的資格要求不同，因此我們需要了解您的情況和您父親的狀況。

4. Carer · turn 4

   明白。我爸爸是在工地受傷的，情況比較嚴重，從那以後就再也離不開輪椅了。這是他的病歷，我想萬一你們需要，所以就帶來了。我想知道要滿足甚麼條件才有資格領取這些津貼呢？要是我符合條件就好了，這樣我可以辭職，留在家照顧爸爸，同時也不用擔心完全沒有收入。

   I understand. My father was seriously injured at a construction site and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. Here are his medical records; I brought them in case you need them. I’d like to know what conditions I must meet to qualify for these payments. I hope I’m eligible because then I could resign from my job, stay home to care for my father and not have to worry about having no income at all.

5. Centrelink Officer · turn 5

   I understand. First, I should point out that you shouldn't resign from your job on the assumption that your claim will be approved. We would need to assess both you and your father before we could determine your eligibility. For Carer Allowance, carers generally need to meet the residence requirements and provide additional daily care and attention to a person with a disability or medical condition, or someone who is frail aged.

   我明白。首先，我需要指出，您不應該因為假設申請會獲批而辭職。我們需要評估您和您父親的情況，才能確定您是否符合資格。就照顧者津貼而言，照顧者一般需要符合居住要求，並每天為殘疾人士、患病人士或年老體弱人士提供額外的照顧和關注。

6. Carer · turn 6

   這樣看來我應該符合要求。我是澳洲公民，所以居住方面的要求應該沒問題。那被照顧的人需要滿足甚麼條件嗎？我爸爸的情況已經持續很久了，而且醫生說他的活動能力可能很難恢復。

   It sounds as though I should meet the requirements. I’m an Australian citizen, so the residence requirements shouldn’t be a problem. Does the person receiving care also need to meet any conditions? My father’s condition has continued for a long time, and the doctor said his mobility may be unlikely to recover.

7. Centrelink Officer · turn 7

   Yes, there are requirements for the care receiver as well. For an adult care receiver, their disability or medical condition needs to meet the relevant assessment criteria. This involves an assessment under the applicable adult disability assessment rules. Generally, the condition must be permanent or expected to continue for an extended period of at least 12 months.

   是的，被照顧者也需要符合相關要求。對於成年被照顧者，其殘疾或健康狀況必須符合相關評估標準，當中涉及按照適用的成人殘疾評估規則進行評估。一般而言，該狀況必須屬永久性，或預計會持續至少十二個月。

8. Carer · turn 8

   那我爸爸應該符合這一點。他受傷之後一直要坐輪椅，日常生活很多事情都不能自己做。我每天要幫他洗澡、穿衣服，有時候還要扶他上廁所和準備藥物。他現在基本上不能獨立生活。

   My father should meet that requirement. He has needed a wheelchair ever since his injury and cannot manage many daily activities by himself. Every day, I help him bathe and dress, and sometimes I assist him with using the toilet and prepare his medication. He is now essentially unable to live independently.

9. Centrelink Officer · turn 9

   Those are certainly relevant care needs, but we can't make a decision based solely on what you've told me today. Your father's functional ability and the level of care he requires would need to be formally assessed. He would also need to meet the relevant residence requirements and receive care in an eligible setting, such as his own home, his carer's home or, in certain circumstances, while he is in hospital.

   這些當然都屬於相關的照顧需要，但我們不能只根據您今天所說的內容作出決定。您父親的活動能力及所需照顧程度必須接受正式評估。他也需要符合相關居住要求，並在符合資格的場所接受照顧，例如他自己的住所、照顧者的住所，或在某些情況下住院期間接受照顧。

10. Carer · turn 10

    他現在跟我一起住，所以照顧都是在家裡進行的。不過他之前因為傷勢惡化住過幾次醫院。這會不會影響我的申請？

    He currently lives with me, so all the care is provided at home. However, he has previously been admitted to hospital several times because his injuries worsened. Will that affect my claim?

11. Centrelink Officer · turn 11

    Not necessarily. A temporary hospital stay doesn't automatically mean that you lose eligibility, particularly if you continue to provide care while he's in hospital. However, you should let Centrelink know if his circumstances change, especially if he enters residential care or is admitted to hospital for an extended period.

    不一定。短期住院並不會令您自動失去資格，尤其是如果您在他住院期間仍然繼續提供照顧。不過，如果他的情況發生變化，您應該通知Centrelink，特別是他入住院舍或長期住院時。

12. Carer · turn 12

    好的。那我需要提供甚麼醫療證明？我今天帶了他的病歷，不過資料很多，有醫院的出院報告、專科醫生的報告，還有之前的醫療證明。

    All right. What medical evidence do I need to provide? I brought his medical records today, but there are many documents, including hospital discharge summaries, specialist reports and previous medical certificates.

13. Centrelink Officer · turn 13

    Keep those documents, as they may be useful supporting evidence. As part of the claim, you may also need to provide medical information completed by an appropriate health professional. The assessment isn't based simply on the diagnosis; it also considers how the condition affects your father's day-to-day functioning and how much care and attention he needs.

    請保留這些文件，因為它們可能是有用的佐證資料。在申請過程中，您可能還需要提供由合適醫療專業人員填寫的醫療資料。評估並非只根據診斷結果，也會考慮該狀況如何影響您父親的日常生活能力，以及他需要多少照顧和關注。

14. Carer · turn 14

    原來不是有醫生證明就一定可以。那你剛才提到 Carer Payment 和 Carer Allowance，兩者到底有甚麼分別？我可以兩個都申請嗎？

    So, having a medical certificate doesn’t necessarily mean the claim will be approved. You mentioned Carer Payment and Carer Allowance earlier. What exactly is the difference between them, and can I apply for both?

15. Centrelink Officer · turn 15

    They serve different purposes. Carer Payment is an income-support payment and is subject to income and assets tests. It's intended for someone whose caring responsibilities substantially restrict their capacity to undertake paid employment. Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment and has different eligibility rules. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for both, but each payment must be assessed separately.

    兩者的用途不同。照顧者付款是一項收入補助，須接受收入和資產審查，適用於照顧責任嚴重限制其從事有薪工作能力的人。照顧者津貼是一項補充款項，有不同的資格規定。視乎您的情況，您可能同時符合兩者的資格，但每項款項都必須分開評估。

16. Carer · turn 16

    我明白了。我現在還有一份全職工作，不過因為爸爸需要照顧，我最近已經經常請假。如果我暫時不辭職，只是減少工作時數，會不會就不能領 Carer Payment？

    I understand. I still have a full-time job, but I’ve recently been taking leave frequently because my father needs care. If I don’t resign for the time being and only reduce my working hours, will that prevent me from receiving Carer Payment?

17. Centrelink Officer · turn 17

    Not automatically. Some paid work may be permitted, but there are limits and your employment income can affect the amount of Carer Payment you receive. We would need accurate details of your working hours and income. If your circumstances change after you're granted a payment, you also have an obligation to notify Centrelink.

    不會自動失去資格。您可能可以從事一定程度的有薪工作，但會有相關限制，而工作收入也可能影響您收到的照顧者付款金額。我們需要您提供準確的工作時數和收入資料。如果您獲批款項後情況有所改變，您也有責任通知Centrelink。

18. Carer · turn 18

    那我最好還是等申請結果出來，再決定要不要辭職。我最擔心的就是突然沒有收入，因為除了照顧爸爸之外，我還要付房租和其他生活費。

    In that case, I’d better wait for the outcome of the claim before deciding whether to resign. My greatest concern is suddenly having no income because, apart from caring for my father, I also need to pay rent and other living expenses.

19. Centrelink Officer · turn 19

    That's a sensible approach. You can lodge a claim first and provide the required supporting documents. Centrelink will then assess your circumstances, including your income and assets, residence status, the level of care you provide and your father's medical and functional circumstances. If we need further information, we'll contact you.

    這是明智的做法。您可以先提出申請並提供所需的佐證文件。Centrelink之後會評估您的情況，包括收入和資產、居留身分、您所提供的照顧程度，以及您父親的健康和活動能力狀況。如果我們需要進一步資料，便會聯絡您。

20. Carer · turn 20

    好的，那我今天就開始申請。麻煩你告訴我需要填甚麼表格，以及哪些醫療文件需要一起提交。我希望一次把資料準備齊全，免得耽誤申請。

    All right. I’ll begin the claim today. Please tell me which forms I need to complete and which medical documents must be submitted with them. I hope to prepare everything at once to avoid delaying the claim.

21. Centrelink Officer · turn 21

    Certainly. I'll explain the claim process and the supporting evidence you'll need. Make sure the information you provide is complete and accurate, and keep copies of any documents you submit. Once the claim has been assessed, you'll be notified of the decision and, if you're eligible, the amount of payment you're entitled to receive.

    當然可以。我會向您說明申請程序和所需的佐證資料。請確保您提供的資料完整準確，並保留所有已提交文件的副本。申請完成評估後，您會收到決定通知；如果符合資格，通知也會列明您有權領取的款項金額。

22. Carer · turn 22

    好的，謝謝你。至少現在我知道應該怎樣開始辦理了。我先把申請和醫療資料準備好，再根據 Centrelink 的決定安排工作和照顧爸爸的事情。

    All right. Thank you. At least I now know how to begin the process. I’ll prepare the claim and medical information first, then arrange my work and my father’s care according to Centrelink’s decision.

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