Section 197H — Social Security Act 1991: Qualification—extension of short term or episodic care

Extension of qualification under section 197G (1) This section applies if: (a) a person is qualified for a carer payment for caring for one or more persons (the care receiver or care receivers) aged under 16 for a period (the preceding period): (i) under section 197G; or (ii) if this section has previously applied to the person and the care receiver or care receivers—under the most recent application of this section; and (b) in relation to each care receiver—before the end of the preceding period, and before the care receiver (or any of them) turns 16, the person gives the Secretary a certificate from a treating health professional certifying that: (i) because of a severe disability or severe medical condition, or a disability or medical condition, the care receiver will need personal care for a further period of less than 3 months starting immediately after the end of the preceding period; and (ii) the severe disability or severe medical condition, or disability or medical condition, is the same as, or related to, the severe disability or severe medical condition, or disability or medical condition, that necessitated the care for the preceding period; and (iii) the care is required to be provided by a specified number of persons. Person qualified for further period determined by Secretary (2) The person is qualified for a carer payment for a further period if: (a) apart from the fact that the care receiver or care receivers will need personal care for less than 6 months, the person would qualify for a carer payment: (i) under section 197B or 197C (whether or not because of section 197F) for caring for the care receiver or care receivers; or (ii) under section 197D (whether or not because of section 197F) for caring for the care receiver and another person; and (b) the Secretary determines that a carer payment should be granted to the person for the period. (3) The period determined must end not later than 6 months after the first day on which the person started to receive a carer payment under section 197G. Person may remain qualified until end of period even if care receiver turns 16 (4) A person does not cease to be qualified for a carer payment under this section only because the care receiver (or any of them) turns 16 before the end of the period determined by the Secretary.