Carer or support person

A household member may have a personal care or support person. These carers may or may not live-in permanently and may contribute financially to the household.

A client may require the assistance of a carer or support person because they:

• have a physical, medical or mental health condition that results in them being unable to carry out physical care independently or
• are an elderly person and it is safer to have someone living with them (this person could assist with general housework and cooking meals)

Note if the carer or support person is only providing care during the day, there is no need for a bedroom to be allocated to them, however an extra bedroom may be required to store medical equipment (for example for a dialysis patient).

For social housing purposes, a carer or support person who lives-in:

• is aged 16 years or over
• is financially independent
• has a proven and established need to live with the client and
• may contribute towards the rent

For example, a person who is getting Supported Living Payment - Caring for a person to care for the client:

• is aged over 16 years
• is financially independent and
• has a proven and established need to live with the client

The carer or support person (living-in) can be considered an additional occupant or a signatory.