What is Program of
Appliances for Disabled People
(PADP)?
The Program of
Appliances for Disabled People (PADP) is a
NSW Government program for people with
disabilities. Adults and children are eligible
to apply.
The role of PADP is to
assist eligible residents of NSW who have a
permanent or long-term disability to live and
participate in their community by providing
appropriate equipment, aids and appliances.
PADP is administered
locally from Lodgement Centres and appliances
issued through PADP remain the property of the
Area Health Service.
Contacting you local PADP
Lodgement Centre
Your local PADP
Lodgement Centre operates during normal business
hours (Monday to Friday).
For
contact details see this
page.
You are eligible if
you:
- have a long-term or
permanent disability and need equipment to live
and participate in the community;
- live permanently in
NSW;
- are unable to obtain
equipment, aids or appliances from any other
government program;
- have not received
compensation or damages in respect of the
disability ;
- have been discharged from
hospital for at least one month; and
- are not eligible for the
provision of equipment under a loan arrangement
or on a permanent basis by a hospital or health
service for the condition for which the
equipment is required.
Types of items
available
PADP provides a wide
range of equipment, aids and appliances.
Children and young people
under 16 years of age and people on low incomes
are eligible for the full range of equipment
provided by PADP.
People on higher incomes
may qualify for PADP equipment, aids and
appliances which cost in excess of
$800.
Your prescriber or your
Lodgement Centre can advise you whether the item
you need is available.
Applying for PADP
assistance
All applications for
assistance should be made on a PADP application
form available from your PADP Lodgement
Centre.
The application must be
accompanied by a prescription from a specialist
medical practitioner or another authorised
prescriber.
Your application must also
include either a copy of your latest Australian
Tax Office Notice of Assessment or details of
your Centrelink pension or Health Care
Card.
You should send your
completed application form to your local PADP
Lodgement Centre.
Your application is
assessed by your PADP Coordinator in the first
instance, and may be considered by the local
PADP Advisory Committee. Equipment is available
based on priority according to need and your
financial situation.
The PADP Coordinator for
your area will let you know when your equipment
can be picked up or delivered and what payment
is required.
If your application is
unsuccessful or you wish to comment about any
matter, your options include
- discussing the matter
with the PADP Coordinator or
- the manager lodging a
complaint with the Complaints Officer of the
Area Health Service
- or contacting the
Health Care Complaints Commission on
telephone (02) 9219 7444 or 1800 043 159
(outside Sydney metropolitan
area).
Cost of the
equipment
People who receive
assistance through PADP are required to make a
payment of $100 towards the cost of the items
they have received. You can only be asked to
make one payment of $100 in any given financial
year.
Some higher income earners
are required to make a payment of 20 percent of
the cost of the item.
Your PADP Coordinator will
be able to advise you what payment will apply
given your particular circumstances. If you
would like an item that is more expensive than
the one prescribed, you will need to meet the
additional cost.
If the equipment needs
repairs or maintenance
If the equipment
requires repairs or maintenance to be carried
out, you need to contact your PADP Lodgement
Centre. The Lodgement Centre will arrange for
the repairs to be made. Only in emergency
situations will the cost of repairs be
reimbursed without prior approval by your
Lodgement Centre.
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