Family Support program
What is the Family Support program?
The Family Support program focuses on supporting the person with a disability as well as the family as a whole.
The program includes a support package comprising a family support program facilitator and access to some discretionary funds.
Our family support program facilitators will work in partnership with you to:
- clarify family priorities and develop plans
- assist in implementing these plans.
- Some items on the plan may require using discretionary funds, however, the main focus is on using existing community supports and networks to support the family.
There are two Family Support programs. They are:
- Family Support program for Children
- Family Support program for Adults.
Who is eligible to receive assistance through the Family Support program?
To be eligible for assistance through the Family Support program, you will need to meet the criteria outlined in the Disability Services Queensland Eligibility Policy1.
You must be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent Australian resident
- a Temporary Protection Visa holder
- a New Zealand citizen who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001
- a member of a family on a work or study visa sponsored by the Australian Government.
You must also live in Queensland and have a disability that:
- is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments
- results in a substantial reduction of the person’s capacity in one or more of the following areas: communication; social interaction, learning, mobility, or self care/management
- results in you needing support and
- is permanent or likely to be permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature) and
- manifests itself before the age of 65.
Family Support program for Children
Children with a disability who are eligible under the Queensland Disability Service Act 2006 must be:
- under the age of 18
- living with their natural or adoptive parents/families (this includes traditional adoptive arrangements for indigenous families).
Family Support program for Adults
Adults with a disability who are eligible under the Queensland Disability Service Act 2006 must be:
- aged between 18 and 65 years
- living in the family home (this includes traditional arrangements for Indigenous families)
- seeking support to remain living in the family home.
How do I apply?
To apply, you need to contact a Disability Services Queensland or non-government service provider office listed on the Family Support program fact sheet.
A Disability Services Queensland Application for Support is required for a person with a disability to register or apply for Disability Services Queensland specialist disability services.
Copies of the Application for Support and the Guide to Completing the Application for Support are also available at any Disability Services Queensland Service Centre.
The Application for Support can be completed by a person with a disability over the age of 18, or by a family member (if the applicant is under 18 or unable to apply on their own behalf). A carer, advocate or service provider may also complete the Application for Support, if requested by the applicant.
The Application for Support can be posted to the nearest Disability Services Queensland regional office, or hand delivered to any Disability Services Queensland service centre located throughout Queensland.
Please note that applying for support and assistance does not guarantee support will be made available.
An Application Update Form should be submitted if your circumstances change. It is not necessary to re-apply.
How do we process your application?
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we undertake a thorough prioritisation process. All applications are reviewed by a priority panel and given a priority rating based on the applicant’s individual circumstances.
When funding becomes available, regional funding panels review all prioritised applications and make recommendations to the Statewide Funding Panel. The Statewide Funding Panel uses the priority ratings and other relevant information to make recommendations about who should receive funding and support based on the greatest need.
Once funding recommendations are made, Disability Services Queensland regional staff undertake a verification process to ensure funding goes to the people who need it the most.
Once individual circumstances have been verified, recommendations for funding are submitted to the Minister for approval. Not all applications that are verified will be approved for funding.
Updating your information
It is important to notify DSQ of any changes to your circumstances that impact on the information you previously provided in the DSQ Application for Support.
You should provide details of the changes by completing the Application Update Form. Copies of the Application Update Form and the Guide to Completing the Application Update are available at online and at any Disability Services Queensland Service Centre.
Further information
For further advice or assistance regarding the Family Support program or to submit an Application for Support, please contact your nearest DSQ Regional Office.
- Freecall:
- 1800 177 120
- TTY:
- 1800 010 222
1 These criteria reflect the definitions provided in section 11 of the Disability Services Act 2006.
Last updated June 2008