Navigating injury, illness and disability – Our guide to keeping you financially healthy

Estimated reading time
 5 min

In this article

• Access the right financial support if you’re living with or caring for someone with disability
• Get yourself and your family financially fit for unexpected injury or illness
• Helpful tips for making the transition to becoming a carer
• Plan and fund smartly to make your home more accessible

Our goal is to help you be as financially prepared as possible for when the unexpected happens.

Of course, we can’t prepare you for everything life might throw at you, but we can help make sure you’re financially fit to tackle life’s inevitable roadblocks.

If you’re one of the 2.65 million carers or eight in ten people with long-term health conditions living in Australia, you might have questions about where to find the right kinds of support. Whether you’ve recently become a carer or have an illness, injury or disability, there is support out there, no matter your circumstances.

Our guide can steer you through the financial side of things and help you navigate the support systems available.
 

What financial supports are available for people with disability?

With so many government departments, service providers and support options to consider, people with disability can sometimes feel overwhelmed when working out what’s right for their specific needs.

Financially, there are a number of ways people with disability can get extra help:

• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• The Disability Support Pension (DPS) and other government support
• Concession cards
• Your bank.

Our guide to financial support for people with disability explains your options, how to access them and more.
 

Preparing for a potentially life-changing injury or illness

None of us really knows what life has in store, and that’s part of the adventure. But some surprises can be harder to manage than others.

When it comes to a life-changing illness or injury, it’s natural to hope for the best. But it’s also important to feel prepared for any road ahead. Many of us may experience a potentially life-changing injury or illness, either directly or indirectly.

So how can you be financially prepared for when an injury or illness changes your life?

There are 3 simple steps you can take to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared if the unexpected happens or if their condition declines:

• Budget for about three months’ worth of expense.
• Work out if you’re eligible for any government support.
• Talk to your bank about options they have to support you.

Read more about preparing for injury or illness
 

Becoming a carer

No one can predict when they might become a carer, but if the time comes, your finances will most likely be the last thing on your mind. Whether you live with a relative who has a chronic illness or disability, or you’re welcoming elderly parents into your home, being financially ready can make a world of difference.

Depending on who you’re supporting and their needs, you can access different services to make caring for your loved one that tiny bit easier. We explore general and financial support options in our guide to becoming a carer to help you take care of yourself while you care for others.

Read more about becoming a carer
 

Planning home modifications?

Modifying your home to support yourself or a loved one with a disability, illness or injury, can allow you to continue managing day-to-day tasks from the comfort of familiar surroundings. But it can be a pretty big undertaking, especially when you’ve got other things on your plate.

There are some changes you can make yourself such as installing grab rails or painting with high contrast colours to make navigating your home easier for people with low vision. But for bigger changes, you might need the help of an experienced professional.

How much does an accessible home upgrade cost? Well, that depends on your specific needs (or the needs of the person in your care). We explore the different funding options you can access to make home modifications easier to manage.

Read more about planning home modifications