We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government?

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

 

[Petra]

Thank you for this information.

 

[GrannySue]

My husband and I are self funded retirees and we both have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. It’s worth its weight in gold especially if you have a chronic medical condition. You save on pharmacy prescriptions and medical appointments. If you can, plan your medical appointments and procedures for the one calendar year. The Medicare rebate increases once you reach the reduced Medicare threshold. The application form for the CSHC can be daunting but it’s well worth the effort.

 

[Deb]

We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

View attachment 11568

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government? Image source: Shutterstock.

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

View attachment 11567

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

View attachment 11566

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for a this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

For a CSHC you need to be pension age which is 67, not over 60.

 

[Meredy Andrew]

For those self funded retirees who have not yet reached Age Pension age (67 for most), you may be entitled to a Low Income Concession Card. This provides almost all the same concessions as the Commonwealth Seniors Card. It is income tested, but not asset tested & the income you can earn & still qualify us quite generous. So, for those in this situation, definitely worth looking into.

 

[Gaena]

For a CSHC you need to be pension age which is 67, not over 60.

Pension age depends on the year that you were born it is no longer automatic at age 65 , eligiable at 67 years of age applies to people like myself who were born after July 1st 1955

 

[maigret]

We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

View attachment 11568

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government? Image source: Shutterstock.

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

View attachment 11567

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

View attachment 11566

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for a this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

You will not be eligible if you work more than thirty five hours a week - not sure if that was highlighted - when you fill in the criteria you will also be asked what other cards you have:

Seniors Card or Seniors Card+go​

To be eligible for a Seniors Card or Seniors Card+go you must be:

• 65 years or older and working less than 35 hours a week in paid employment
  OR
• 60–64 years, working less than 35 hours a week in paid employment and the holder of 1 of the below:
  • Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card*
  • Commonwealth Health Care Card*
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange card.

*Listed partners and dependants can apply by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

 

[RubyBegonia]

The Seniors Heatlh care card does not give you discounts on gas, electricity, water rates or land rates.

 

[Gaena]

The Seniors Heatlh care card does not give you discounts on gas, electricity, water rates or land rates.

No but the seniors cards handed out by the state governments do

 

[RubyBegonia]

No but the seniors cards handed out by the state governments do

No they don't, only travel discounts and entry to attractions discounts.

 

[Kyria]

The article would have been better if you had researched exactly what each State gave to Commonwealth Seniors Card holders. In Victoria, I think it's only pharmacy prescriptions. Exactly which states give discounts on

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares

You gave the impression that some States do. Which States??

 

[thomas]

We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

View attachment 11568

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government? Image source: Shutterstock.

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

View attachment 11567

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

View attachment 11566

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for a this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

thanks for this info. I have been retired for 6 yrs (retired at 74) but I don't get a pension because of my superanuation and finding it a struggle, I only have a seniors card at the moment but I will look into the other card

 

[Gaena]

No they don't, only travel discounts and entry to attractions discounts.

I think it depends which state government has issued the card, I live in WA and as well as the usual travel and entry to attractions discounts I get a rebate on Water and land rates as well as a yearly cost of living rebate, they all have to be applied for with the relevant authorities so you do need to ask it is not automatic

 

[Cheezil]

We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

View attachment 11568

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government? Image source: Shutterstock.

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

View attachment 11567

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

View attachment 11566

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for a this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

There is also Low Income Concession Card if working & earning minimum wage, etc), but it doesnt help wit much at all (well not in Vic), one rego discount & small concession on power bill about the only assistance i've been able to use it for so far in the few months i've had it! Council would not assist wit any rates discount. Could not get concession on prescription glasses either unfort so yet another 5yrs without affording to update them wont hurt me i guess

 

[Aussie all the Way]

We get a discount on our Council Rates, Electricity, Rego on 1 vehicle each and Discount Rego on trailer and Caravan, public transport, live in Tasmania.

 

[gordon1940]

I think it depends which state government has issued the card, I live in WA and as well as the usual travel and entry to attractions discounts I get a rebate on Water and land rates as well as a yearly cost of living rebate, they all have to be applied for with the relevant authorities so you do need to ask it is not automatic

Also Gas and Electricity accounts.

 

[Gaena]

Also Gas and Electricity accounts.

I was under the impression that the yearly cost of living rebate was to compensate for the cost of electric and gas

 

[KarenS]

No they don't, only travel discounts and entry to attractions discounts.

Depends on which state you live in. Seniors Cards are provided by the State Govs, not the feds, and what you get depends on your state gov. They vary quite a lot!

 

[BabsL]

We stumbled upon an interesting scenario the other day in The New Daily and we realised that although we often write articles relating to the age pension, we often don’t address the services that are available to members who may be self-funded retirees but are still looking for concessions to assist with the ever-increasing cost of living.

The scenario someone was in, was this: A couple who both had superannuation paid as a pension. They owned their principal residence in a country town and also had an additional residence in a city, which they didn’t rent out because they often needed to use it when they visited the city for health-related appointments. They asked what they needed to do to get some assistance and if they could potentially gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card.

View attachment 11648

Are you entitled to any concessions from the government?

The reality is, there are a lot of Australians who are of the age pension age who are not eligible to receive the age pension for a multitude of reasons and are therefore not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), but there are other ways you can receive assistance, and that might be by applying for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Before we dive into what the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has to offer, we just want to clarify what the Pensioner Concession Card is and who it is available to. According to Services Australia, anyone who is on the following payments is eligible to receive a Pensioner Concession Card:

• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance and are single, caring for a dependent child and looking for work
• Parenting Payment single

View attachment 11567

Sample of the Pensioner Concession Card. Image source: Services Australia.

The Pensioner Concession Card ensures you get:

• Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Bulk billed doctor visits, which will depend on your doctor if you are eligible for these a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• Help with hearing services, such as the Hearing Services Program on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
• Discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Other benefits of the Pensioner Concession Card depends on your state or territory government and local council, but you may also receive discounts on:

• Utility bills
• Property and water rates
• Public transport fare
• Motor vehicle registration
• Train fares

According to Services Australia, If you are a pensioner and/or you meet any of the above requirements you should automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card. If you haven’t, we recommend you get in touch with Services Australia to enquire about your eligibility. You can do this by calling 132 300. Services Australia are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Now, back to those of you who are not eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card! The good news is, if you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

View attachment 11566

Sample of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Image source: Services Australia.

Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

You are also required to meet the following income test requirements, which include earning less than the following:

• $90,000 per year if you are single
• $144,000 per year if you are a couple
• $180,000 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.

You may be eligible for a this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are a widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits of holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.

In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!

So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it, folks! If you are eligible for either of these cards, but don’t have one, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you. Regardless of whether you are on the pension, are a partially, or fully self-funded retiree you deserve to receive discounts and concessions.

Let us know if you found any of this information useful in the comments below!

What really makes me upset is that I am 69 y o, single, live alone, on Disability Pension, have the Seniors Card, but I am NOT permitted to receive the Pensioner Discounts at hairdresser or other retail shops bcz I do not have the gold-blue-white plastic Pensioner Card that Old Age Pensioners get.
The hairdresser and other shops state their discounts apply to ONLY Old Age Pensioners not Old Disabled Pensioners so I must pay the higher full price.

WHY are these discriminations allowed?

 

[Aussie all the Way]

What really makes me upset is that I am 69 y o, single, live alone, on Disability Pension, have the Seniors Card, but I am NOT permitted to receive the Pensioner Discounts at hairdresser or other retail shops bcz I do not have the gold-blue-white plastic Pensioner Card that Old Age Pensioners get.
The hairdresser and other shops state their discounts apply to ONLY Old Age Pensioners not Old Disabled Pensioners so I must pay the higher full price.

WHY are these discriminations allowed?

I don't know what card you are talking about the only Gold, Blue and White card I know of is the Seniors Card which is the one that you show to get discounts across Australia I have that card and I'm 62. I am retired and if I show my DVA pension card I get discounts as well so I think your hairdresser is not being very friendly because she should give a discount if you are a Pensioner.