Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced that access to the Pensioner Concession Card will be restored to 92,300 people nationally – including 554 of his own constituents – who lost it under the asset changes in of January 1, 2017.
This reinstatement comes after changes were announced by the Turnbull Government in the Federal Budget last week.
Mr Taylor said that after the legislation passes both houses, those former part-pensioners who lost their Card in January will be entitled to have it back.
“About 92,300 people across the country and 554 people in Hume will be eligible to receive the Card and it will be automatically reissued without an income or assets test,” he said.
“This will support former pensioners to regain access to discounts and concessions offered by the states and territories and private providers.”
The Card will also be reissued to about 3,600 Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment recipients.
These people will also still retain the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to receive the Energy Supplement.
Under other Budget announcements the Government will also be offering aged pensioners and disability support pensioners a one-off payment by June 30 to help with energy bills.
“Singles will get $75 and couples $125 this winter to give them a helping hand with the cost of electricity and heating,” Mr Taylor said.
♦ For more information on these changes visit the Department of Human Services website here.
Good news for Pensioners, and the reality is the LNP are just trying to make themselves look better for votes, given there are elections on the way.