Short-term support when you are unwell: Community Assistance and Temporary Supports Program

The Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) Program offers temporary support if you:

It's for you and the person who cares for you. This support is temporary.

The program may:

Who can apply

You can only apply for this program if you are an ACT resident and don't have other forms of support to help you while you recover.

Other forms of support include:

You must also meet one or more of the following:

Be ready to leave the hospital but:
- you cannot get help from short-term, low-intensity services like NDIS or aged care to help you recover at home.
Have a health and/or mental health condition that is temporary, but:
- unable to get short term assistance to support recovery.
Have a health or mental health condition that is significant or permanent, and:
- you are trying to get help from another service, like NDIS or aged care but need temporary support.
Be a carer or a family member of someone eligible for the program.

Depending on your circumstances and needs, you may be able to get help with:

domestic assistance
personal care
medical and allied health transport
food services
bridging supports to help you apply for longer term support
advocacy to help uphold your rights when accessing the program
carer and relationship supports to help unpaid carers improve their personal and social wellbeing.

Contact the CATS Program Central Intake Service on 02 5124 6500. They will help you find out if you are eligible.

The phone line is open on these days (except public holidays):

If you are a resident of the ACT, this service is free.

It is funded by the ACT Government.

The CATS Program has a directory. In it, you can find the contact information of its service providers.

If you access the program, you have rights and responsibilities.

If you have any questions about the CATS Program, email us at catsprogram@act.gov.au.