Child Disability Payment decision making guide

Criteria of the care component

An individual is entitled to the care component of CDP for the period throughout which they satisfy at least one of the criteria set out for each rate. The exception to this is the highest rate which requires both criteria to be met.

The case manager must consider whether the individual can fairly be described as having needs which meet the criteria throughout the period in question. There is no requirement that the individual’s needs are present more than 50% of the time, or “most” of the time. To conclude whether or not an individual meets the criteria for the care component the case manager should review the CDP Care Components – Definitions chapter, including the definition of “period throughout which”.

Case managers must consider what attention or supervision the individual reasonably requires. For more information, see the “Reasonably Required” section of the Care Component - Definitions chapter (CDP regs, reg. 11(8)).

The individual does not satisfy any of the criteria of entitlement to any rate unless they have either:

  • requirements substantially in excess of what someone of their age normally requires (CDP regs, reg. 11(2)(a))
  • substantial care requirements which younger children without a disability may also have. However, a child the same age as the individual without a disability would not have these requirements (CDP regs, reg. 11(2)(b)).

The above requirements apply only to individuals younger than 16 years old. This is because it is important to understand whether a disabled child’s needs are due to their age, or are due to their disability (CDP regs, reg. 11(4)).

References to ‘day’ and ‘night’ do not relate to specific times of day. Instead, they are based on the ordinary domestic routine of the individual’s household. For more information, see the Care Component - Definitions chapter (CDP regs, reg. 11(6)(a)).

An individual may have reduced need for attention or supervision due to aids or appliances. This will not necessarily remove the need for attention or supervision, however. For more information, see the Care component – Definitions chapter.

Attention for a significant portion of the day

Attention is the provision of personal care, prompting or motivation in relation to bodily functions or assistance with communication needs (CDP regs. Reg. 11(6)(b)).

An individual is entitled to the lowest rate of the care component of CDP if they need attention from another person for a significant portion of the day in connection with their bodily functions. This must be due to their physical or mental disability (CDP regs, reg. 11(1)(a)).

This attention can take place during a single episode or multiple episodes during the day.

Bodily functions refer to the normal action of any part of the individual’s body, including their brain, or any number of parts of the individual’s body working together (CDP regs, reg. 2).

If an individual has a disability that affects their bodily functions, it may mean that they require assistance with some or all of the following activities:

  • bathing
  • getting dressed
  • eating
  • communicating.

This list is not exhaustive. For more information, see the Care Component – Definitions chapter.

Unable to prepare a cooked main meal

Individuals aged 16 and over are entitled to the lowest rate of the care component of CDP if they are so severely disabled physically or mentally that they are unable to prepare a cooked main meal for themselves if they have the ingredients. This is not a test of cooking ability. Instead, it looks at whether an individual can plan a complex activity and complete that activity safely (CDP regs, reg. 11(1)(b)).

The day criterion

Supervision is the precautionary or anticipatory presence of another person to monitor an individual’s:

  • physical health
  • mental health
  • emotional health (CDP regs, reg. 11(7))

This includes monitoring for obstacles or dangerous places or situations.

The night criterion

To satisfy the night criterion, an individual must require either:

  • prolonged or repeated attention at night in connection with their bodily functions due to their physical or mental disability (CDP regs, reg. 11(1)(d)(i)) (CDP amendment regs, reg. 7)
  • for another person to be awake for a prolonged period of time or at frequent intervals to watch over them to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others (CDP amendment regs, reg. 7).

For a definition of ‘prolonged’ and ‘watching over’, please see the CDP Care Component – Definitions chapter.

Satisfying the day and night criteria

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