Incontinence Pad Scheme Children Product Subsidy (IPS)
Incontinence Pad Scheme (IPS) is a product subsidy scheme to assist families with meeting the costs of continence products for their children. IPS funding is managed and operated by Independence Australia on behalf of the Department of Communities.
Eligibility
You are eligible for IPS assistance if you:
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- are an Australian citizen, are a holder of a permanent visa, or a holder of a special category visa subclass 444
- are a permanent resident of Western Australia
- are between 3 and 15 years of age and have a disability
- have continence issues related to the disability, other than night bed wetting only
- are a member of a family in receipt of a Carer Allowance (caring for a child under 16 years) or have been issued with a Health Card
- obtain a letter from a general practitioner, continence nurse, continence physiotherapist or medical specialist stating that you have incontinence
- are not in receipt of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan
Eligible children may access IPS funding and the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) at the same time.
A product subsidy of up to $490 is available per year.
The funding is administered by Independence Australia and is automatically renew on 1st July each year after the initial assessment until the child turns 16 years old.
How to Apply
To access the product subsidy, the child must be assessed as eligible by a general practitioner, continence nurse, continence physiotherapist or medical specialist stating that the child has incontinence.
How to Order
Your healthcare prescriber will submit the prescribed products to Independence Australia. Once Independence Australia receives this prescription, an initial order will be placed as per the referral request. Subsequent orders can be placed by the child’s parent or guardian.
NDIS Replaces IPS
As of 1 July 2019 all of Western Australia transitioned to the NDIS. For product subsidies, IPS is unable to take on new individuals with disability under 16 years old in NDIS areas. New individuals with disability under 65 years old should contact the NDIS to make an Access Request.