Support Services

My Aged Care is the starting point to access all Australian Government funded aged care services, including home support programs and residential aged care.

Visit the My Aged Care website or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422  (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 10am-2pm) ) to find out about:

• the types of aged care services available
• your eligibility for services
• service providers in your area
• costs you may need to pay.

The My Aged Care staff will discuss your needs with you. When you call, you will require your Medicare card details handy.

Depending on your needs, My Aged Care will then refer you to the Regional Assessment Service to arrange a home support assessment, or to the Aged Care Assessment Team who will undertake a comprehensive aged care assessment. 

Cooinda Benalla Aged Care can provide in-home support, including delivered meals, outside the MyAgedCare system on a fee-for-service basis. Phone Cooinda on (03) 5761 3300 to enquire about their services.

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.

If you’re having trouble with everyday tasks and feel that a little support could improve your health and wellbeing, CHSP could be right for you. To be eligible for this program, you must be aged:

• 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
• 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

Calvary Community Care  (1300 797 522) and Community Accessability (1300 704 530) were appointed by the Australian Government as the new providers of CHSP services for Benalla Rural City residents, effective 1 July 2022.

Types of services provided under the CHSP include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Home and Property Maintenance
• Social Support
• Respite 
• Occupational Therapy
• Home Modifications
• Delivered Meals
• Transport (Community Accessability)

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) provides support for younger people with disabilities whose capacity for independent living is at risk and are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Gateway Health (03 5723 2000) was appointed by the Victorian government as the new provider of services to Benalla Rural City residents, effective 1 July 2022. Call Gateway on 03 5723 2000 or visit Gateway Health HACC-PYO

Types of services provided under HACC-PYP can include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Social Support Activities
• Respite
• Home and Property Maintenance
• Delivered Meals

In April 2019, a strategic review was undertaken to consider the Council’s future role in the provision of aged and disability services.

A key driver of the review were the fundamental changes in the operating and funding environment for the aged and disability services sector due to the introduction of Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home and Community Care for Younger People (HACC-PYP) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Council, at its meeting on 13 November 2019, resolved that a formal expression of interest process be undertaken to identify poitential alternative aged and disability service providers. 

In September 2020, after considering the outcomes of the expression of interest process, the Council resolved to continue to provide aged and disability services until 30 June 2022 and that an Aged and Disability Services Transition Plan be developed.

With effect from 1 July 2022, Benalla Rural City Council is no longer a provider of aged and disability services in the home. All former clients have been transitioned to the new service providers chosen by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

Council will continue to advocate for the needs of all members of our community.