
Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
If you have incontinence, the good news is you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Australian Government’s Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS). CAPS can help to ease the monetary pressure of buying incontinence products.
Be five years of age or older and have permanent and severe incontinence due to an eligible neurological condition. Or have permanent and severe incontinence caused by another eligible condition given they have a valid Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or a valid Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Pensioner Concession Card or entitlement, either as a primary card holder or a dependent of a cardholder. For a list of eligible conditions, visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au. If you are an existing CAAS client, you will automatically qualify for CAPS.
For more information about eligibility for CAPS please visit the Services Australia website.
From 1 July 2010, applicants can fill out a CAPS application form. A health professional is required to complete the health report component and all documents must be returned to Medicare. Medicare will assess the application and make the payment into the nominated bank account within two weeks of processing.
If the application is incomplete or includes invalid information, Medicare will contact the client in order to finalise the application.
For more information regarding how to apply for CAPS, visit the Services Australia website.
Other continence information is available at the Continence Foundation of Australia website or the National Continence Helpline (1800 330 066).
CAPS is not available in New Zealand. Please visit your GP for further information or for help and assistance with your condition. Alternatively you can call the Continence NZ Helpline 0800 650 659.