NSW Statewide Home Modification Service is auspiced by Kurri Kurri Community Centre providing major home modifications under the HACC (Home & Community Care) program, which is jointly funded by State & Federal Governments.
What is Our Aim?
To provide major modifications for people who are frail aged, people with disabilities & their carers so they may live more independently in the community & remain in their homes longer. Our major emphasis is on access, safety & independence.
We can assist with:
Bathroom modifications
Access modifications
Home modifications to suit individual needs
Who is Eligible?
You are eligible if you are
A frail aged or disabled person
A carer of a frail aged or disabled person
What if English is my Second Language?
The Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) Support Service is available free of charge to help you access a range of community services. If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450, or alternatively call the Community Interpreting and Information Service Ethnic Affairs Commission Central Booking toll free on 1300 651 500.
What Can We Provide?
It is important to recognise that even though a person may fall within the categories of eligibility, HACC is not an entitlement program. There is no guarantee of receipt of HACC services. Access to service is based on relative need.
All applications received are determined on an INDIVIDUAL basis.
Our available resources allow us to include only the most cost effective modifications that are considered necessary by your Occupational Therapist. All applications require a detailed supportive Occupational Therapy Report demonstrating clear, clinical justification for all facets of the proposed modifications.
Unfortunately our services do not extend to providing additions to existing dwellings.
The full extent & cost of the proposed modifications will be explained to you prior to work commencing.
How It All Works
Home Modification Services (HMS) in NSW are structured on three levels; Local, Regional & Statewide, each with the responsibility for work costing up to $7,500, $20,000 & over $20,000 respectively.
Initially your needs will be assessed by your Occupational Therapist, in consultation with the Local HMS and yourself. If the Local HMS quotes the work at over $7,500, you will be referred to the Regional HMS, who will in turn, refer your application to the NSW Statewide HMS if the works are quoted over $20,000.
We will acknowledge receipt of the application to you, your OT and the referring service. If funding is available and we have all relevant information a determination of your request will be made within a two week period.
If funds are not available your application will be placed on a waiting list along with all other unfunded applications. Once funds do become available, your application will be determined and, if approved, prioritised accordingly.
If your modification has been approved by our project for funding, a supervisor will contact you to arrange a suitable commencement date. Some works will require Council approval, which at times can be a lengthy process.
NSW Statewide HMS will ask the Occupational Therapist to monitor the works in progress and provide a report on completion ensuring that your specific needs have been met.
Once the modifications are complete a Building Inspector will be asked to inspect the modifications to ensure that the works are of an acceptable standard.
Any ongoing maintenance of the new works will be your responsibility.
Once the work is complete, we will seek your opinion via a survey as to its practicality and usefulness.
For further information in respect to home modifications, please visit our peak bodies (NSW HMMS State Council) website: www.nswhmms.org
Your Financial Contribution Towards These Works
Clients will be asked to contribute the first $5,000 of the cost of the job and 20% of all remaining costs. All engineering, drafting, council fees etc will be included in the total job costing.
Due to the large demand for home modification services, there is limited funding available and therefore all client fees help to complete more work for people in similar circumstances as your own.
You will not be asked to contribute more than you can afford.
