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Centrelink boost: More Aussies eligible for $3,000 health care card savings this month

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card gives cardholders cheaper prescriptions and estimated savings of between $2,000 to $3,000 per year.

Tamika Seeto
·Finance Reporter
Updated ·2-min read
Centrelink and money
Aussie seniors will be able to earn more income and access the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card from September 20. (Source: Getty)

More Aussie seniors will be eligible to access the popular Commonwealth Seniors Health Card in the coming weeks. The Centrelink-issued card gives Aussies cheaper health care and discounts on things like electricity, transport and other bills.

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is available to those who have reached the pension age of 67 but are not receiving Centrelink payments like the age pension. There is no asset test to get the card, but there is an income test.

The amount seniors can earn and get the card will increase from September 20. Singles will be able to earn $99,025 to be eligible for the card, up from $95,400. Couples will be able to earn $158,440 combined, up from $152,640.

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“We review this test on 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index,” Services Australia said.

When working out your income, Services Australia said it will look at your adjusted taxable income. It will also look at your account-based income streams, including account-based pensions and annuities.

Your account-based income stream balance will be subject to deeming, which is when the government assumes it earns a certain rate of income. Find out more about the income rules here.

Cardholders are able to access prescriptions under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for just $7.70 a script. This is capped at $277.20 per year, meaning you can get free medicines once you reach this limit.

Depending on where you live, cardholders can also access state-based discounts on electricity and gas bills, property and water rates, health care costs including ambulance, dental and eye care, and public transport. Retirement Essentials estimates the savings can add up to between $2,000 to $3,000 a year.

Age Pension recipients don’t receive the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card but instead receive a Pension Concession Card.

A range of pensions and payments will increase on September 20, when the latest round of indexation comes into effect.

This will cover payments indexed twice a year in March and September, including the age pension, Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment.

The Age Pension will increase by $28.10 a fortnight for singles and $42.40 for couples combined. This will bring it to $1,047.10 for singles and $862.60 each for couples, or $1,725.20 total.

You see the complete list of payment increases here.

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