C21/2008 2009 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Replaced by DI No.

C — 13/2009

Purpose

To provide information about the annual bulk issue of the 2009 CSHC.

Background

The CSHC was introduced 1 July 1994 and provides entitlement to Commonwealth Concessions for pharmaceuticals listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

CSHC holders also receive a quarterly payment of seniors concession allowance and if eligible, a quarterly payment of telephone allowance.

Great Southern Rail Travel offers concessional fares to CSHC holders on The Indian Pacific, The Ghan and The Overland.

In addition, CSHC holders may be entitled to further state/territory concessions on presentation of their card to the relevant department or authority.

Eligibility

The CSHC is intended to assist eligible veterans and their partners (including widow/widowers, and war widow/widowers) of pension age who fail to qualify for pension due to assets or income in excess of the current limit.  Eligibility is determined manually by location staff.

CSHC Income Test

The CSHC income test is based on the annual adjusted taxable income.  The CSHC income limit is as follows:

• $50,000 if single;
• $80,000 (combined), if a member of a couple;
• $100,000 (combined), if accepted as being separated due to ill health or respite care.

The above amounts are increased for each dependant child by $639.60.

Valid

The 2009 CSHC will be valid from 1 October 2008 until 30 September 2009.

Numbers

The approximate number of cards to be produced from the bulk issue is 9,270.  The breakdown for each state is:

State

Number

NSW/ACT

2996

VIC

2261

QLD

1645

WA

1330

SA/NT

858

TAS

180

Total

9,270

Dates

The following dates apply to the 2009 annual bulk issue:

Task

Date

Production data extract

24 August 2008

Implement changes to daily template

25 August 2008

Produce reports for states

25 August 2008

Mailing house commence printing, enveloping and lodgement of cards

25 August 2008

Final lodgement date with Australia Post

before
5 September 2008

Reports

Summary and Non-Issued Reports will print at the nominated printers for location contacts on Monday 25 August.  In addition status reports will be provided to Income Support contacts regarding the printing, enveloping and lodgement of cards.

Daily Template

Changes to the daily template will be implemented on Monday 25 August.  From this date a 2009 CSHC will be issued for grants and reissues.  This card can be used immediately.

Daily Stock

Stock supplies for grants and reissues have been sent to the contact officers.  As dates are not pre printed on the stock, each location should continue to use last years stock supply until advised by Business Operations.

CSHC Contacts

The CSHC Income Support contacts are as follows:

Location

Contact

NSW/ACT

Sue Cooney

QLD

Mark Roughead

VIC

Gavin Inglis

SA/NT

Kim Jones

WA

Michelle Pauly

TAS

Bryon Kelly

Please advise Sarah Paras, the project co-ordinator, if there any changes to the contact officers listed above

Project Coordinator

The project co-ordinator for the bulk issue of the 2009 CSHC is:

Sarah Paras

Business Operations

Income Support

Phone:  (02) 6289 6534

e-mail:  sarah.paras@dva.gov.au