C21/2004 Issue of 2004/05 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Purpose

To provide information about the bulk issue of the 2004/05 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/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 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 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.

Card numbers for the annual bulk run

The number of cards and carriers to be produced for the annual bulk run will be approximately 7,965.  This figure was derived from an AIS query dated 24 July 2004.  The state break down is as follows:

STATE

NO. FOR BULK ISSUES

NSW/ACT

2,632

VIC

2,145

QLD

1,193

WA

1,267

SA/NT

615

TAS

113

TOTAL

7,965

Blank stock for daily issues

Blank stock for the new daily issues was sent to the CSHC State Office Contacts during the week beginning 19 July 2004.

State Offices are to begin using the new daily stock on Monday, 23 August 2004.

Changes to the card and carrier

The 2004/05 card (valid from 01/10/2004 to 30/09/05) and carrier incorporates the following changes:

• new DVA logo on the back of the card;
• relevant Deputy Commissioner's signatures appear on the carrier; and
• wording changes to 'Your obligations' paragraph.

Last years blank stock

Due to text changes on the back of the carrier, the state offices are to destroy last year's blank CSHC stock.

Please notify the National Office contact, Kerry-Anne Rowe, of the number of cards and carriers destroyed.

Production and timing

The bulk 2004/05 CSHC live extract of the client data will occur on Saturday, 21 August 2004.  The card production will commence on Monday, 23 August 2004.  The CSHC's will be lodged with Australia Post on Friday, 27 August 2004.

Post production reports

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

CSHC State Office Contacts

The CSHC State Office Contacts are as follows:

State

Contact

NSW/ACT

Sue Cooney

QLD

Geraldine Howard

VIC

David Price

SA/NT

Maria Lewandoski

WA

John Gliddon

TAS

Bryon Kelly

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.