Managing expenses when your child has a disability

Sometimes a family raising a child with a disability might need one parent to cut back on working hours or quit altogether in order to care for the child. According to research, this is usually the mother. A family dealing with reduced income and extra expenses can find it difficult to make ends meet.

• Costs you may need to consider
• Tips for managing your finances
• Information about financial support
• Personal financial advice

 Costs you may need to consider

The financial impact of raising a child with a disability will vary depending on the disability. The more severe the disability, the more it will cost you to care for your child.

You may need to pay for the following services:

• a carer for your child so you can take a break
• modifications to your home or car
• medication
• paediatric or specialist services provided within the private health system. If you’re using the public health system you may need to pay the gap between what Medicare pays and what the service provider charges
• home help to care for your child or to help with housework
• aids and equipment (if the costs aren’t fully covered by the health care system).

Many therapy services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, are free. But they might have long waiting lists, and if you want additional services you might have to pay.

Tips for managing your finances

Managing finances can be an issue for many families at the best of times. However, recent figures show that 60% of families with at least one child with a disability are in the bottom 40% for income. Looking carefully at your financial situation will put you in a good position to make sure you have enough money to cover your costs.

When you’re thinking about anything to do with money, keep in mind:

• Budgets can be really helpful. Start by keeping track of what you spend on different types of expenses for a few weeks – you may be surprised to see where your money is going. See our links to budget planners and money guides.
• Priorities for spending are also helpful – what’s essential, and what isn’t? If there’s any spare income after essentials, what do you most want to spend that money on?
• A savings plan can help you set money aside for unexpected expenses. 
• Knowing your entitlements and taking advantage of them means extra money in the bank.

  Information about financial support

• Centrelink can give you information about what benefits you may be entitled to.
• Disability associations can give you information about sources of funding and support available for things such as low-interest loans to purchase equipment. 
• The government department that deals with disability or health in your state or territory can give you more information.
• Using a financial planner can also be helpful.

Personal financial advice

Financial advice helps you make decisions about your money. Good advice from an experienced, well-informed financial adviser might help you save money and become more financially secure.

Generally, the only people permitted by law to give you personal financial advice are those who work for, or represent, a financial advisory business that holds an Australian financial services (AFS) licence.

Licensed advice covers superannuation, insurance, shares and managed funds, as well as many basic banking products. Advice about loans and buying real estate does not require an AFS licence.

An advisory business that gives personal advice must: 

• give personal advice that suits you 
• take legal responsibility for its staff and representatives
• act efficiently, honestly and fairly 
• meet standards designed to protect you against something going wrong.

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