Community Assistance and Temporary Supports Program
Supporting your recovery at home with care and compassion.
What is the Community Assistance and Temporary Supports Program?
The Community Assistance and Temporary Supports Program (CATS) program supports people, families and unpaid carers permanently living in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) who require temporary, low intensity supports to remain safely in their homes while they recover from a short-term illness, injury, or temporary deterioration of an ongoing condition.
"I am grateful for the care and respect I have received, and I want to sincerely thank my Support Worker and Life Without Barriers for their continued dedication to providing high-quality, person-centred disability support. It has made a meaningful and lasting difference in my quality of life."
Eligibility
You must permanently reside in the ACT. If you are a resident of the ACT, this service is free, it is funded by the ACT Government.
The services Life Without Barriers provides include:
Domestic assistance
Personal care
Assistance with low-cost specific equipment, subject to eligibility.
The CATS program is delivered by the ACT Government. You can contact the ACT Health CATS Central Intake by phone 0251246500 or email catsprogram@act.gov.au (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm).
Who can apply?
This program is for people who live in the ACT who don't have other forms of support* to help you while you recover. You may be eligible if you meet one or more of the following:
You are ready to leave the hospital but you cannot get help from short-term, low-intensity services like NDIS or Aged Care to help you recover at home.
Have a health and/or mental health condition that is temporary but are unable to get short term assistance to support recovery.
Have a health or mental health condition that is significant or permanent and you are trying to get help from another service, like NDIS or Aged Care but need temporary support.
Are a carer or a family member of someone eligible for the program. Support under the CATS program is available for up to six months for participants, and 12 months for carers.
*Forms of support include family and social networks who can assist and/or financial resources to pay for care and support services.
Get in touch
Get in touch with our friendly team to find out how we can support you.