The Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Subsidy Scheme assists with the energy costs of operating heating and/or cooling equipment at home for financially disadvantaged persons with medical conditions resulting in clinical thermoregulatory dysfunction.
About the condition
About 1500 Western Australians suffer severe, chronic medical conditions that have thermoregulatory dysfunction as a complication. This is an inability of the body to control its own core temperature. At extreme temperatures and without outside intervention, serious medical consequences are possible, potentially leading to permanent physical damage and even death from hypothermia or heatstroke.
The health disorders associated with this condition usually also involve a degree of paralysis or limited mobility. Passive measures to adjust the patient’s body temperature (eg blankets or cool baths) are not always practical, and air conditioning or heating is the most effective way to keep the person’s body temperature within a safe range. Typically people with Thermoregulatory Dysfunction have conditions such as:
Quadriplegia and Paraplegia (above the level of T4);
Severe Multiple Sclerosis and other severe demyelinating disorders;
Advanced Motor Neurone Disease;
Severe stroke or head injury resulting in a vegetative state; and
Multiple amputation (three or four limbs).
Energy subsidy information
The level of subsidy is based on the Seniors’ Air Conditioning Rebate, which meets the cost of 200kWh of power per month. This is sufficient to operate an air conditioner drawing 1.1Kw of power (appropriate for a 30 square metre room) for six hours every day.
The annual subsidy is $502 as of as 1 July 2010.
The subsidy will be administered by the Office of State Revenue, which also administers the Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy. To be eligible the person suffering Thermoregulatory Dysfunction must be:
certified by their treating physician as suffering clinical thermoregulatory dysfunction, as a result of their condition, that is of such severity that without artificial control of their immediate physical environment they would suffer serious adverse consequences and further medical complications.
in possession of a valid means tested concession card issued by either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, being either a: Pensioner Concession Card; Health Care Card; or Health Care Interim Voucher.
The payment of subsidies started on 1 January 2007. Application forms for the subsidy are available from the Department of Finance, State Revenue.
The Office of Energy engaged Dr Kim Fong to provide a report on medical guidelines for the Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Subsidy Scheme and an Information Sheet for Doctors. Download these documents via the links below:
