I was recently assessed for a Home Care Package and was succesful.  I though this was great and then contacted Centrelink for a financial assessment to see how much I have to pay each fortnight.  You can imagine my surprise when I was told I would have pay approx $195 pf (1/5th of my income) - who can afford that I can't. 

The assessment is not based on how many services you use.  I was assessed on my aged pension, a very small superannuation and to my shock the small savings I have in my bank account (under $300). What is the point of this if it is financially out of reach of most Australians who are not soley on the Aged Pension or whose superannuation is small (remember Centrelink reduces your pension if you get any money deemed to be earnings)

If I had been on just the Aged Pension and had no money in the bank I believe I would have received the services free.

So here I will sit with limited assistance until someone in government realises the assessment methodology is flawed.