C20/2003 Issue of 2003/04 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Purpose

To provide information about the bulk issue of the 2003/04 CSHC.

Background

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

From 1 September 2001, CSHC holders who are eligible telephone subscribers, became eligible for a quarterly Telephone Allowance payment.

Great Southern Railway 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(er)s), and war widow(er)s 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 State Office 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 or a couple;
• $100,000 (combined), if an accepted as being separated due to ill health or respite care.

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

Card numbers for the annual bulk run

The number of cards and carriers to be produced for the annual bulk run will be approximately 7,572.  This figure was derived from the full data extract dated 8 August 2003.  The state break down is as follows:

STATE

NO. FOR BULK ISSUES

NSW (incl ACT)

2,586

VIC

1,808

QLD

1,210

WA

1,252

SA (incl NT)

595

TAS

121

TOTAL

7,572

Blank stock for daily issues

Blank stock for the new daily issues was sent to the States on Monday, 4 August 2003.

State Offices are to begin using the new daily stock on Monday, 18 August 2003.

Changes to card and carrier

Text changes have been made to the both the card and carrier.  The text on the carriers is now identical for each State.

The carrier will display the name and postal address (up to 4 lines of address) in upper case.

The card will display the name and residential address (up to 4 lines of address) in mixed case.

Last years blank stock

Due to text changes on the back of the carrier, the State Offices are to discard last year's blank CSHC stock.

Production and timing

The bulk 2003/04 CSHC live extract of the client data will occur on Saturday, 16 August 2003.  Printing will commence on Monday, 18 August 2003.  The CSHC's will be lodged with Australia Post on Monday, 25 August 2003.

Post production reports

Post production Summary and Non-Issued Reports will be printed on the State Office's printers following the live run.  State Offices are to examine the reports and undertake any necessary action.

Report daily issue difficulties

Any difficulties in relation to daily issue templates are to be reported to Kevin Richardson on (02) 6289 6330.

National Office contact

If you have any enquiries relating to this topic, please contact Kerry-Anne Rowe on (02) 6289 6663.