Eligibility for the SEED program
To be eligible for funding through the SEED program, an applicant needs to meet the following criteria:
- Living in NSW with confirmation of a discharge destination to a community setting
- Enrolled in Medicare (green and blue cards only)
- Not be eligible to receive equipment through any other government funded program.
In addition, the applicant must meet the specific SEED clinical eligibility criteria:
- Diagnosis of a newly sustained spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury
- A permanent condition (not temporary or likely to resolve)
- The condition being the primary reason for the admission to the inpatient/rehabilitation facility
- Inpatient of one of the following NSW Public Hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities:
Adult services
- Prince of Wales Hospital Spinal Cord Injury
- Royal North Shore Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Service
- Spinal Injury Unit, Royal Rehab, Ryde
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program Westmead Hospital
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program Liverpool Hospital
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program Royal Rehab, Ryde
Paediatric services
- Sydney Children’s Hospital
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
- John Hunter Hospital
OR
A person who is currently an inpatient of another NSW Public Hospital inpatient rehabilitation facility may be considered for the SEED program, if the person is receiving input from one of the following specialist services:
- Rural and regional Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programs
- State Spinal Cord Injury Service (SSCIS) Spinal Outreach Service
- Regional Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Services (Hunter or Port Kembla Hospital).
A person is ineligible for the SEED Program if they are being discharged to a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) or another hospital, rehabilitation setting, or another state or territory. People who reside in NSW and are ineligible for SEED may seek assistance through the EnableNSW Aids and Equipment Program.
Applicants who are inpatients of an interstate specialist facility may be considered for eligibility for the SEED Program if they meet the first three criteria.
Compensation
As part of the application process, the SEED applicant should advise EnableNSW if they are considering seeking compensation in relation to their condition. This will not impact on their eligibility, however, in the event that a compensation claim is successful, the person will be required to reimburse NSW Health for the cost of the equipment provided through SEED, including a 13% administration fee.