Caring for the Community1,300 Bass Coast Shire residents currently benefit from the range of HACC services provided by Council. By Carol McCormack - 25th May 2001 - Back to News 1,300 Bass Coast Shire residents currently benefit from the range of HACC services provided by Council. These services include home care, home maintenance, respite care, personal care and planned activity groups.
With more residents seeking the services provided by Council’s aged and disability staff and the rising cost of providing the services, fees for Council’s home and community care services (HACC) will increase by between $1 and $2 per hour. Fees for Council’s HACC services have remained the same since1998, while the number and quality of services has steadily increased.
The increase was approved at last week’s Council meeting with the understanding that no client would be disadvantaged by the fee increase. Hardship fees will remain the same at between $1 to $2 an hour. If a client is assessed as unable to pay, they will continue to receive the service at no charge.
"HACC fees are calculated on how much a client can afford to pay rather than their income," said Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Miranda Sage. "This takes into account that some clients have factors that will impact on their ability to pay such as medicines, specialist fees, transport costs etc."
All of Council’s HACC clients will be sent a letter informing them of the increase as well as a list of the new fees.
Council provides approximately $488,000 anually to fund HACC services despite the fact HACC is supposed to be a State and Federal Government funded program.
All Victorian councils are currently reviewing their HACC fees. The fees charged by local governments are much less than private providers due to the fact they are heavily subsidised.
Council’s aged and disability team was awarded a commendation at the National Awards for Innovation in Local Government in 2000. They were also a finalist and received a special commendation in the 2000 Victorian Training Awards. The team won the "New Business of the Year" in the 2000 Bass Coast Business Awards.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: basscoastshire@gippslander.com
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