Grandcarers set to receive much-needed financial support

On Thursday 14 December 2023, Premier Roger Cook and Minister Sabine Winton announced a “one-off cost of living” payment to eligible carers, including Grandparent carers, sharing the news at a press conference at Redcliffe Community Centre with Wanslea CEO Jo Sadler and Wanslea Grandparent carer Robyn Coker.

The one-off payment will be made by the Department of Communities to Grandparent carers, foster carers, family carers, and special guardian carers to support them in their often-unpaid carer roles, providing much-needed financial support.

The one-off payment will be made in January 2024, and will not affect other payments carers may be receiving. The payment will consist of $500 for the first child cared for, and $250 for each subsequent child.

Wanslea is a strong advocate for Grandparent and kinship carers in particular, and continuously raises awareness of the challenges they face, lobbying for policy changes and improved support to recognise the critical role Grandparent carers especially play in caring for their grandchildren in a full-time capacity.

“We are so pleased to hear the news of the one-off payment for carers. We know from our research that one of the main challenges Grandparent carers face is financial, so having access to financial support is extremely beneficial.

Grandparent carers play an integral role in their grandchildren’s lives and this payment recognises the impact of the rising cost of living for carers who are already doing it tough.” Wanslea CEO Jo Sadler said.

Wanslea currently provides support to Grandparent carers through the delivery of its State-funded Grandcare program, which assists grandparent carers in accessing the Grandcarer Support Scheme (GSS) payment, as well as providing support to access other services, support groups and exploring social connections and respite options.

The Grandparent carers Wanslea supports are considered informal and as a part of the GSS, are eligible to receive a payment of $1,000 per year, per grandchild. The additional one-off payment in January will be particularly helpful for Grandparent carers with back-to-school costs.

The one-off payment will not change the anniversary date for Grandparent carers applying for a renewal of their GSS payment. The payment will be generated automatically based on Grandparent carers that received a GSS payment for a grandchild in their care from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, even if the grandchild has since turned 18 or left their care.

Carers eligible for the one-off payment will receive a letter from the Department of Communities advising them of the payment. If Grandparent carers aren’t sure if they’re eligible, they can find out via a Frequently Asked Questions document available on the Wanslea website: www.wanslea.org.au

If a Grandparent carer registered for the GSS payment has changed their bank details, they can contact Wanslea’s Grandcare team via email (gss@wanslea.org.au) or by leaving a voice message at 1800 794 909, which will be responded to within four working days.