HealthInfo Canterbury
Financial support in palliative care
Several schemes are available to help people with the financial impact of long-term health conditions. They include schemes that your GP can access as well as the Disability Allowance and Child Disability Allowance.
You may also be eligible for mobility parking or the half-price taxi fare scheme. As well, the National Travel Assistance Scheme helps people financially who are referred by their specialist to see another specialist, and need to travel long distances or travel frequently.
Some specific help is also available for people receiving palliative care.
End of life care funding
This subsidy is available to people who are dying from any condition. It covers most of the cost of that person's GP visits for the last few months of their life. If you're eligible, your doctor will apply for this subsidy on your behalf.
SupportCare (end-of-life) funding
SupportCare (end-of-life) funding is available in Canterbury for people who:
- have significant disabilities related to their illness, meaning that they need a high level of care
- are being treated as terminally ill
- are expected to live for less than three months.
This funding can be used for up to three months and is for care in a hospital or for hospital-level care provided at home.
Only a hospital specialist can apply for this funding. They'll assess patients with the help of a social worker or needs assessor and other health professionals.
On the next page: Controlling symptoms in palliative care
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by Canterbury DHB and community palliative care specialists. Last reviewed November 2020.
Review key: HIPAL-17434
