Apply for a Carer Payment.......................................................................................................13

Points to Consider:

 Eligibility criteria is based on your income and <Care recipient>’s health status and subject to change. You may lose the payment if your income increases, <Care recipient>’s health status changes or changes are made to the eligibility criteria.  Your application will need to be processed and assessed before the payment starts.  Should your circumstances change, you will need to notify Centrelink within 14 days.

15. Apply for the Centrelink Age Pension

We recommend that you apply for the Centrelink Age Pension to assist in meeting your retirement income needs. Based on total assessable assets of $XXX and a total fortnightly assessable income of $XXX, you are eligible to receive a combined Age Pension of $XXX per fortnight ($XXX each).

Benefits:

 Access to the government pension will help to supplement your retirement income, helping you meet your ongoing living costs.  Utilising this pension income will help preserve your retirement savings for future income needs.  You may be entitled to other payments and benefits, which include: o Pensioner Concession Card o Pension Supplement o Energy Supplement o Remote Area Allowance (if eligible) o Rent Assistance (if eligible)  You will receive cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.  Your Doctor may provide bulk-billing visits.  You will also receive discounts on utility bills, rates, public transport and other health care costs.

Points to Consider:

 The Age Pension amount you receive is reviewed on a regular basis. If your financial circumstances change, your payment could be impacted.  You will be subject to a number of qualification tests and conditions based on your age, home ownership, marital status as well as the Income and Asset ‘means’ test.  The Age Pension payment is indexed twice a year (March and September) to help keep up with inflation.  You must notify Centrelink of any significant changes or extended overseas travel (more than 6 weeks), within 14 days, for a review of your entitlements.  Centrelink payments are subject to legislative change which may impact your entitlement in the future. A review of your income requirements will be needed should this happen.  Age pension payments form part of your assessable (taxable) income. You may receive a Senior Tax Offset to reduce tax payable.

16. Apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card (CSHCC)

We recommend that you apply for the Seniors Health Care Card. We estimate, based on your current income, that you will be eligible for this concession card.

There is no Assets test when applying for this card.

Benefits:

 You will receive cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.  Your Doctor may provide bulk-billing visits.  You may also receive discounts on utility bills, rates, public transport and other health care costs.

Points to Consider:

 The CSHCC is issued annually. You will need to reapply each year and meet the income test at that time.  Eligibility for the Seniors Health Care card is based on your income as provided by you. If this is inaccurate or changes, you may exceed the income limit and lose access to the CSHCC.  Extended overseas travel may impact the validity of your CSHCC.

17. Apply for a Disability Support Pension

We recommend that you apply for the Disability Support Pension. As you are under ‘Age pension’ age and have a permanent disability / medical condition, you are eligible to apply. We estimate, based on your current financial position, you will receive a pension of $XXX ($XXX p.a.).

Benefits:

 Pension payments will assist in meeting your everyday living and medical costs.  You may also receive discounts on utility bills, rates, public transport and other health care costs.  You can access additional allowances and benefits such as rent assistance.

Points to Consider:

 The entitlement we have estimated here is based on your current financial position. If this is inaccurate or you have a significant change in circumstances, your entitlements will change as eligibility is based on an income and asset test.  You must notify Centrelink of any significant changes, or extended overseas travel, within 14 days, for a review of your entitlements.  Centrelink payments are subject to legislative change which may impact the amount of your entitlement in the future. A review of your income requirements will be needed should this happen.  Disability Support Pension payments form part of your assessable (taxable) income. You may receive a Senior Tax Offset to reduce tax payable.