The Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment (TIME) Scheme aims to provide appropriate equipment, aids and appliances to eligible consumers, to enhance their safety and independence, and to assist them to live and participate in their community. Clients must meet certain criteria and need to have an assessment by an appropriate professional. There are ceiling levels on the amount of assistance that can be provided for some equipment.
The objectives of the TIME Scheme are to ensure that consumers receive a service that:
- Provides access to appropriate equipment and appliances to meet their assessed needs;
- Provides access to equipment that assists in maintaining and improving their capacity to remain in the community and to participate in family and community activities;
- Enhances continuity of care;
- Is efficiently administered, with effective management of existing resources;
- Has a consistent and equitable prioritisation process, targeted to people most in need; and
- Is flexible and able to respond to their individual needs.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the TIME Scheme, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:- Have a disability of a permanent or long term duration as defined under the Disability Services Act (1993);
- Are a resident of the Northern Territory;
- Are living in or are returning to the community;
- Require items of approved TIME Scheme equipment on a permanent or long term basis;
- Are not eligible to receive compensation in respect of the disability for which the equipment has been prescribed; and
- Are not eligible to receive the equipment under any other Program/Fund;
- Are a beneficiary of a Centrelink Aged Pension, Centrelink Disability Support Pension, or person under 16 years for whom a family member is in receipt of a Centrelink Carer Allowance or Centrelink Carer Payment; or are a child in the care of the Minister; or have been approved as eligible on the basis of Financial Hardship; and
- Are not a High Care resident of a Residential Aged Care Facility.
Limitations of the TIME Scheme
The TIME Scheme does not provide assistance for:
- Items under $50.00 (with the exception of continence equipment or feeding tubes required on a recurrent basis) and some repairs and maintenance;
- Aids or equipment that are to be used specifically in an educational or work setting, or for recreational purposes only;
- Aids or equipment, which are standard household or personal items, (eg tables, beds, car seats) and are generally regarded as a community norm for the person or family to purchase. It is recognised that what constitutes a standard household item in a remote Aboriginal Community may differ from urban settings and as such some flexibility may be applied to specific items;
- Reimbursement for the purchase or repair of equipment on a retrospective basis;
- Items associated with medical or surgical interventions, including life support units (ventilators), voice prosthesis, lymphedema garments, burn garments and initial mammary prosthesis; and
- Home modifications and provision of fixtures for installation in Public Housing.
Equipment Provided
Equipment provided under the TIME Scheme is categorised as follows:
- Communication aids and devices
- Continence equipment
- Daily Living aids and equipment
- Feeding equipment and appliances
- Home modifications
- Oxygen and respiratory appliances
- Personal call alarms
- Pressure care
- Specialised items
- Walking aids
- Wheelchairs
- Car Modifications
Each item has specific criteria and prioritisation guidelines, ceiling levels and prescriber information.
Whilst a person may be eligible for assistance from the TIME Scheme, this does not guarantee that a particular aid or item of equipment will be provided. Provision of equipment is dependant on the priority of the application and the availability of funds.
Contact Details
Darwin | Alice Springs |
| Nhulunbuy |
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