A guide to Centrelink concession cards
2
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Contents Introduction 4 What concession cards are available? 5 Who will appear on your card? 12 What information will appear on your card? 13 What Australian Government concessions do you get with your card? 14 State and territory concessions 16 State and territory concession information 18 Confirming your eligibility for concessions 22 Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? 23 Tell us if things change 24 How to find out more 25 3
Introduction Centrelink offers a range of Australian Government services and payments to help people reach their goals and full potential. This booklet is a guide to the concession cards that are available from Centrelink. It includes details about the different types of cards available, who may be entitled to them and details of concessions provided by the Australian Government and the state and territory governments. 4
A guide to Centrelink concession cards What concession cards are available? Pensioner Concession Card You may get a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) if you meet residence requirements. You must also be: assessed as having a partial work capacity and receiving Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance (job seeker) or Parenting Payment a single principal carer of dependent children and receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (job seeker) participating in the Community Development Employment Projects and meet other requirements receiving a social security pension such as Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Pension (Single), or Carer Payment, or 60 years of age or over and receiving one (or a combination) of the following payments continuously for at least nine months: Newstart Allowance Sickness Allowance Widow Allowance Parenting Payment (Partnered) Special Benefi t Partner Allowance. People receiving Disability Support Pension and Wife Pension, or Parenting Payment (Partnered), Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance who have 5
been assessed as having a partial capacity to work, may continue to use their PCC for up to 12 months if they stop receiving their payment due to employment. People receiving certain payments, including Mature Age Allowance and certain older long-term income support recipients, can retain their PCC for 26 weeks after returning to work. Single principal carers of dependent children receiving Parenting Payment (Single) or Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (job seeker) may continue to use their PCC for up to 12 weeks after they stop receiving their payment because of a return to work. They will then be issued a Health Care Card (HCC) for the remainder of the period ending six months after their return to work. These provisions are designed to assist people to make the transition from income support to work. The PCC is reissued automatically each year near the customer s birthday, subject to continued qualifi cation. Customers are required to notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility for the card, including leaving Australia. 6
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Health Care Card also incorporates the foster child Health Care Card, the ex Carer Allowance (child) Health Care Card and the low income Health Care Card You may get a Health Care Card (HCC) if you meet residence requirements. You must also be: receiving a qualifying payment from us receiving certain income support supplementary payments, or in one of the following circumstances: receiving the fortnightly maximum rate of Family Tax Benefi t Part A by instalment a care receiver of a carer/parent receiving Carer Allowance (child) a Mobility Allowance customer who does not qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC). Customers who qualify for a HCC under this criteria will have their cards issued automatically every three to 12 months, depending on the customer s circumstances and subject to continued qualifi cation. In some instances, customers can retain their HCC for a short period after returning to work. This provision is designed to assist people to make the transition from income support to work. This will apply to customer groups including long-term customers of Newstart 7
Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Partner Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance (job seeker) and Parenting Payment (Single). Assistance for foster children Customers can make a claim for a foster child HCC for a foster child they have in their care. This card is not subject to an income or assets test. To qualify for a foster child HCC, the foster child must: be in foster care be living in Australia with an Australian resident or a special category visa holder meet the defi nition of a Family Tax Benefi t (FTB) child. The foster carer needs to establish that: they are an Australian resident or a special category visa holder the child is not their natural or adopted child, and the child is in their care. Customers do not need to be formal foster carers (for example, caring for a ward of the state). They can be any person caring for a child who is not their natural or adopted child. Examples of these carers include grandparents, other kinship carers such as adult siblings, relatives and others. The foster child HCC is automatically reissued every six months, subject to continued qualifi cation. 8
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Assistance for ex care recipients An ex Carer Allowance (child) HCC is available to people who are between 16 and 25 years, are full-time students and have a disability or medical condition that previously qualified their carer for Carer Allowance (child) on the day before the child turned 16. Note: the HCC is not automatically issued in this circumstance and customers are required to apply for the card. A claim is required for the ex Carer Allowance (child) HCC. This HCC is not automatically reissued. Cardholders must reapply every year. Assistance for low income earners A low income HCC is available to people with incomes below set levels. The income test applies to average gross income for the eight weeks immediately prior to applying for, or renewing the card. The low income HCC is not subject to an assets test. The low income HCC is not automatically reissued. Cardholders must reapply every six months. Recipients of Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY may also be eligible for this card. Customers are required to notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility for all HCCs see Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? and Tell us if things change on pages 23 and 24. 9
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is available to self-funded retirees not receiving a Centrelink (or DVA) income support payment. You may get a CSHC if you: meet residence requirements are of age pension age provide you and your partner s Tax File Numbers or provide a valid reason why you can not do so, and meet an annual adjusted taxable income test. There is no assets test. Note: information from Australia s immigration department may be used in assessing claims and can be used to assess future entitlements. The CSHC is reissued automatically each year (subject to continued qualifi cation). Customers are required to notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility for this card see Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? and Tell us if things change on pages 23 and 24. Holders of a CSHC are entitled to the Seniors Supplement. Seniors Supplement is paid to CSHC holders to help with household costs. For more information about Australian Government concessions available to CSHC cardholders see page 14. 10
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Dependants of CSHC holders are not eligible for concessions through the CSHC. If you have dependants and your income is below the limit, you may be entitled to a low income Health Care Card. The low income Health Care Card offers the same pharmaceutical concessions as the CSHC and also covers your dependants. You may also receive other concessions from other providers that may not be available with the CSHC. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may qualify for both concession cards. If you are caring for a child that is not your own (for example, your grandchild) see Assistance for foster children on page eight. 11
If your card is lost or stolen If your concession card is lost or stolen you can phone Centrelink to arrange a replacement card. As replacement cards cannot be issued over the counter, your new card will be mailed to you. Should you have an urgent need for a concession card and cannot wait for your replacement card to arrive, you can obtain a Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement at a Centrelink Customer Service Centre. A Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement is a temporary card and is valid for two weeks. Note: Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement may not be accepted for some transport concessions. Who will appear on your card? Cards display the fi rst name and surname of the cardholder and partner (where applicable), and the fi rst name only of any dependent children (where applicable). Customers can request to have their concession card reissued without their partner s name included. However, in order for a customer to access concessions for their partner, they will need to present the concession card displaying their partner s details. As there are different types of cards available, who appears on the card differs from one card to another as follows: Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) and most Health Care Cards (HCCs) the cardholder, any partner and dependent children Mobility Allowance HCC the cardholder only 12
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Ex Carer Allowance (child) HCC the cardholder only Carer Allowance and foster child HCCs the child only (The adult claimant is not listed, as these cards are for use solely by the child) Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) the cardholder only. What information will appear on your card? Customer Reference Number (CRN) is required in any dealings with Centrelink and in your dealings with some concession providers. Address can be residential, postal, term (students only), or temporary. The actual address displayed on the card is at the preference of the customer. Customers can request that no address appear on their card, although this may cause the cardholder problems when attempting to claim concessions. Card start date is the date your card entitlement began. This is not necessarily the same date that your payment began. Leaving Australia before 1 July 2008 may have changed this date see Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? on page 23. Expiry date of the concession card. 13
What Australian Government concessions do you get with your card? The following table is a guide to the types of concessions you can get with your card. Cardholders are generally eligible for the listed concession in all instances. In some cases, dependants of Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) and Health Care Card (HCC) holders (i.e. partners and/or dependent children) may also be eligible for concessions. (*) Indicates that the concession is also available to dependants of the cardholder. (#) Indicates that the concession may be available to dependants at the discretion of the concession provider. (SA) Indicates that the concession is only available to those HCC cardholders receiving Sickness Allowance. 14
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Concession type Prescription medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concession rate. Bulk-billed general practitioner appointments, at the discretion of the doctor. An increase in benefits for out-of-pocket, out-of-hospital medical expenses above a certain threshold through the Medicare Safety Net. Assistance with certain hearing services such as hearing tests and hearing aids. For further information call the Office of Hearing Services on Freecall 1800 500 726. A discount on mail redirection through Australia Post. Eligible card type PCC*, HCC* and CSHC PCC#, HCC# and CSHC PCC*, HCC* and CSHC PCC* and HCC (SA)* PCC and HCC (SA) Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders are entitled to Australian Government concessions on Great Southern Rail (GSR) services. Information is available by phoning Trainways on 13 2147. PCC holders are also entitled to concessions on GSR services. These are jointly provided by the Australian Government, state government and GSR. Some customers may be entitled to other payments from Centrelink such as the Pension Supplement. For more information on these payments and any other assistance that you may be entitled to, please contact Centrelink. 15
State and territory concessions Concession cards may also entitle cardholders, their partners and dependent children to other concessions from state and local government authorities and private businesses. Not all card types will attract the same type of concessions and the concession on offer to cardholders may also vary between different states and territories. Some state based concessions may not be available to cardholders who are travelling through or temporarily living in another state. For further information in these cases, contact the individual concession providers directly prior to travelling. Actual eligibility for any state, local government or private concessions is at the discretion of the individual concession provider. Customers are recommended to discuss their concession status with any concession provider directly. Customers are advised to examine the specific concessions available in their state or territory, and always enquire about concessions or discounts on any goods or services. Concessions may be available to certain cardholders in the following areas of state, territory and private services. Examples of concessions may include: Health dental hearing services home care optical ambulance 16
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Note: ambulance cover will vary from state to state. Cardholders are recommended to contact the ambulance service in their state/territory to discuss what cover their card provides. If travelling interstate, cardholders should also contact the service in the areas they are travelling to, or through. Household council rates electricity/gas/water rates telephone line rental housing Education school fee relief Technical and Further Education (TAFE) state government education allowances training programs Transport taxi fares road transport registration fees drivers licence public transport fares regional rail travel concessions For Western Australian, South Australian or Victorian residents, rail vouchers will be issued once a year with Pensioner Concession Cards (PCCs). Vouchers must be used when booking rail travel to claim a concession. All other states and territories have automated rail travel booking systems and do not need rail vouchers. Simply present your PCC to claim a concession. General entertainment shopping 17
State Seniors Card The State Seniors Card is a program that provides seniors with savings on recreational, health, business and state government benefits throughout Australia. The State Seniors Card is not a product administered by Centrelink. It should not be confused with the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) which is administered by Centrelink. Centrelink staff can only give customers general information on State Seniors Cards. The State Seniors Card encourages seniors to be more active in the community and enhance their lifestyle choices. Some of the benefi ts are accessed through restaurants, travel agencies, clothing establishments, and even from local businesses such as hairdressers, barbers, plus many more. Most states issue directories, which are distributed directly to cardholders. These directories list participating businesses (not all businesses advertise in this directory). Anyone wishing to apply for a card must contact their state/territory government. State and territory concession information The following websites and phone numbers may be useful for information on concessions and services available in your state or territory. 18
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Australian Capital Territory Australian Capital Territory Government www.act.gov.au Department of Disability Housing and Community Services www.dhcs.act.gov.au Phone 13 3427 Australian Capital Territory Seniors Card www.dhcs.act.gov.au Phone (02) 6282 3777 New South Wales New South Wales Government www.nsw.gov.au Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au New South Wales Ministry of Transport www.transport.nsw.gov.au Phone 13 1500 New South Wales Seniors Card www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au Seniors Hotline 1300 364 758 New South Wales Half Fare Transport Concession Scheme Centrelink administers this scheme on behalf of Transport New South Wales. The scheme covers all New South Wales State transport services, i.e. City Rail, Countrylink, State Transit buses and ferries and many local private bus services. For more information about the scheme, please contact Centrelink. 19
Northern Territory Northern Territory Government www.nt.gov.au Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme www.health.nt.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 421 887 Northern Territory Seniors Card www.nt.gov.au Phone (08) 8999 4397 or Freecall 1800 777 704 Queensland Queensland Government www.qld.gov.au Phone 13 1304 Department of Communities Concessions Unit www.communities.qld.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 460 849 Queensland Seniors Card www.communities.qld.gov.au Phone 1300 132 654 South Australia South Australia Government www.sa.gov.au Department of Families and Communities www.familiesandcommunities.sa.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 307 758 Seniors Information Service www.seniors.asn.au Phone (08) 8168 8776 20
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Tasmania Tasmania Government www.tas.gov.au Department of Premier and Cabinet www.dpac.tas.gov.au Phone 1300 135 513 Seniors Bureau www.dpac.tas.gov.au Victoria Victoria Government www.vic.gov.au Department of Children, Youth and Families www.cyf.vic.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 658 521 Victoria Seniors Card www.seniorscard.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 9208 3333 Western Australia Western Australia Government www.wa.gov.au Department for communities www.community.wa.gov.au Phone (08) 6217 8700 Western Australia Seniors Card www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 671 233 21
Confirming your eligibility for concessions Each concession provider has the right to request information they need to confirm your entitlement to a concession. This confirmation can be a simple presentation of the concession card and possibly some supporting documentation, such as a driver s licence. Pharmacists may be able to confi rm your concession entitlement electronically with Centrelink. With your consent, other concession providers may also be able to confi rm your concession entitlement electronically with Centrelink through Centrelink Confi rmation eservices. In some situations Centrelink confi rms other limited information that is necessary to establish your entitlement to a concession, such as length of time on payment. The service will save you time and is totally secure. Only Centrelink and the organisation you authorise will be able to see your details. Note: it is at the concession provider s discretion to decide whether to give you a concession without being able to confi rm your details. 22
A guide to Centrelink concession cards Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? To qualify for a concession card you must meet the Australian residence requirements. This means that if you leave Australia permanently your concession card will be cancelled from the date of your departure. From 1 July 2008 concession cards may not be immediately cancelled if you temporarily depart Australia for up to 13 weeks. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or Health Care Card (HCC) and you retain entitlement to your payment during your overseas absence then your card will not be cancelled unless you have been overseas for more than 13 weeks. Australia s immigration department may advise us if you leave Australia. This information will be updated as changes occur and may automatically affect your entitlements if you leave Australia. If your HCC or PCC is cancelled and you return to Australia your card will be automatically reissued on your return to Australia if you still have entitlement to your payment. If you hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) or a low income HCC and temporarily depart Australia then your card will not be cancelled unless you have been overseas for more than 13 weeks, subject to your continuing qualifi cation for the card. Holders of a CSHC and a low income HCC whose card is cancelled will be required to reclaim their cards once they have returned to Australia. You are required to advise Centrelink, prior to departure, of any plans to leave Australia either temporarily or permanently. Centrelink will advise you what will happen to your card when you leave Australia. 23
Tell us if things change You must tell us immediately if there are any changes to the information that you have already given us. For example you must tell us if: you change your address or telephone number you start or stop employment your hours of work change your marital status changes your family situation changes, such as a new child you are leaving Australia temporarily or permanently your fi nancial circumstances change you claim a Department of Veterans Affairs payment. Concession cards must not be used after their expiry date or if Centrelink has advised you that the card has been cancelled. Cards cannot be transferred to another person. 24
A guide to Centrelink concession cards How to find out more For further information call Centrelink Youth and Student Services 13 2490 ABSTUDY 13 2317 Retirement 13 2300 Employment Services 13 2850 Family Assistance Office 13 6150 Disabilities, Sickness and Carers 13 2717 Financial Information National Seminar Booking Service 13 6357 To speak to Centrelink in languages other than English 13 1202 Customer Relations Line Freecall 1800 050 004 (for complaints, compliments and suggestions) Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line 13 1524 TTY Service Freecall 1800 810 586 *TTY is only for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. A TTY phone is required to use this service. Go to our website at www.centrelink.gov.au Note: calls from your home phone to Centrelink 13 numbers from anywhere in Australia are charged at a fi xed rate. That rate may vary from the price of a local call and may also vary between telephone service providers. Calls to 1800 numbers from your home phone are free. Calls from public and mobile phones may be timed and charged at a higher rate. 25
Disclaimer The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to payments available. What are your responsibilities? It is your responsibility to decide if you wish to apply for a payment and to make the application, having regard to your particular circumstances. The information is accurate as at October 2009, but may of course change. If you use this publication after that date, please check with Centrelink that the details are up-to-date. From what date are benefits payable? Most government payments are paid from, or after, the date on which the application is made. So the sooner you lodge your application, the quicker you may be paid. What if you deal with a third party? You may deal with a third party who is not a member of Centrelink s staff. If you do so, please remember that Centrelink has not authorised any third parties to provide information or advice to you about payments. Important note: while all care is taken in preparation of information and material in this publication, no responsibility can be taken for any change in the personal circumstances of any person acting on information presented here. You are advised to contact a Centrelink Customer Service Centre for full details of any entitlements and services for which you may be eligible, or of how any pending changes in legislation, programs or services affect you. 26
A guide to Centrelink concession cards 27
www.centrelink.gov.au CO153.0910