C20/2006 2007 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Purpose

To provide information about the annual bulk issue of the 2007 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 twice yearly payment of seniors concession allowance and if eligible, a quarterly payment of telephone allowance.

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 each location.

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 2007 CSHC will be valid from 1 October 2006 until 30 September 2007.

Numbers

The approximate number of cards to be produced from the bulk issue is 10669.  The breakdown for each location is:

State

Number

NSW/ACT

3470

VIC

2801

QLD

1800

WA

1384

SA/NT

1007

TAS

207

Total

10669

Dates

The following dates apply to the 2007 annual bulk issue:

Task

Date

Production data extract.

27 August 2006

Implement changes to daily template

28 August 2006

Produce reports for states.

28 August 2006

Mailing house commence printing, enveloping and lodgement of cards.

30 August 2006

Final lodgement date with Australia Post.

8 September 2006

Reports

Summary and Non-Issued Reports will print at the nominated printers for Income Support contacts on Monday 28 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 28 August.  From this date a 2007 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 year's stock supply until advised by Business Operations.

CSHC Contacts

The CSHC Income Support contacts are as follows:

Location

Contact

Sydney

Sue Cooney

Brisbane

Geraldine Howard

Melbourne

David Price

Adelaide

Maria Lewandowski

Perth

John Gliddon

Hobart

Bryon Kelly

Project Coordinator

The project coordinator for the bulk issue of the 2007 CSHC is:

Simone Cantrill

Business Operations

Income Support

Phone:  02 62896489

Email:  simone.cantrill@dva.gov.au