Continence Aids Payment Scheme
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme helps eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of incontinence products
CAPS Application Form and Guidelines
You and your doctor or health professional should read the CAPS application guidelines before completing the CAPS application form. All applications must include a health report completed by your doctor or health professional.
The application form must be returned to:
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Australian Government Department of Human Services
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001
Quick links
If you have permanent and severe incontinence, the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) may help you meet some of the costs of your incontinence products. Eligibility conditions apply.
You can use your CAPS money to buy the products you need from your supplier of choice.
To apply, you and your doctor, or other health professional, need to complete an application form and send it to the Department of Human Services. We will advise you if you are eligible for the payment.
If you are eligible, your payment will be made directly into your bank account so you can access it quickly and easily. You can choose to receive this payment in full once a year in July, or as two payments with one paid in January and the other in July.
You need to know
Continence Aids Payment Scheme eligibility
You are eligible for the CAPS if you are five years or older and meet certain requirements.
Continence Aids Payment Scheme ineligibility
You are not eligible for the Continence Aids Payment Scheme if you do not meet certain requirements.
Continence Aids Payment Scheme payments
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme payment for 2011-12 is up to $506.30 and is indexed annually.
Effect on income
The CAPS has been granted an income tax exemption. This means CAPS payments are excluded from any income calculations for tax purposes.
CAPS payments are also excluded from income calculations for low-level residential care in Australian Government aged care facilities and for Centrelink payments.
Products you can buy
You can use your CAPS money to buy any continence aid products appropriate to your needs. We recommend you get advice from your health professional about the types of products appropriate to you.
The Continence Foundation of Australia has developed a list of product suppliers. You can access this list on the product provider’s webpage of the Continence Foundation of Australia website.
If you don’t have stores or pharmacies near you, you can order products from a supplier online or over the phone. Call the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for additional assistance.
Because CAPS is not a reimbursement scheme, you are not required to produce receipts.
First steps
Apply for the CAPS
You and your doctor or health professional should read the CAPS application guidelines before filling in the CAPS application form. All applications must include a health report completed by your doctor or health professional.
We will only accept CAPS application forms with the original signature. Photocopies, faxed or emailed copies of CAPS application forms will not be accepted.
The application form must be returned to:
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
Australian Government Department of Human Services
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001
If we receive all necessary information and you are eligible, the CAPS payment will be made to your bank account within 30 days. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a request for more information.
Once the payment has been made you will receive a statement confirming the payment.
New applicants
When you first join the scheme, the amount of CAPS money you receive is based on a pro-rata calculation—from the day your application is processed to the end of the financial year (30 June). From 1 July in the following year, you will receive the full CAPS payment (in one or two payments, depending on the timeframe you choose).
The CAPS contribution is a one-off amount paid each year. No more funds will be provided under the CAPS.
Call the National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066 for information about your local state or territory scheme.
Resources
Continence Aids Payment Scheme More information
Find more information about bladder and bowel health on the bladderbowel.gov.au website.
You can also call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066.