The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.15.4.50 Qualification for medically required heating or cooling (EMEP)

Summary

To qualify for EMEP in respect of medically required heating/cooling, the person with medical needs must meet the following criteria:

  • the person has a specified medical condition, AND
  • the person is unable to regulate his or her body temperature because of that medical condition and requires medical heating and/or cooling in their home, AND
  • the person uses additional heating and/or cooling in their home.

Note: In determining whether a person has an inability to regulate body temperature, for the purposes of EMEP, consideration should be given to whether a person would risk serious harm to his or her health without medically required heating and/or cooling.

The specified medical conditions are as follows:

  • spinal cord injury at or above the T7 level, OR
  • stroke, OR
  • brain injury, OR
  • a neurodegenerative disorder, OR
  • the muscular dystrophies, OR
  • full thickness burns covering more than 20% of the body surface area, OR
  • rare disorders of sweating including congenital absence or mal-development of sweat glands, OR
  • chronic erythrodermas.

Act reference: SSAct section 917B Qualification for the essential medical equipment payment, section 917C The medical needs requirement

Social Security (Essential Medical Equipment Payment - Medical Conditions) Specification 2022

Last reviewed: