DATE OF ISSUE: 11 SEPTEMBER 2003
SEPTEMBER 2003 GLOBAL REFRESH OF MANAGED INVESTMENTS (MIs) AND SHARES (SHs) MAILOUT
Purpose of Instruction |
This Departmental Instruction is to provide information about processing arrangements for the September 2003 Global Refresh of Managed Investments and Shares advice letter mailout. |
JEANETTE RICKETTS
BRANCH HEAD
INCOME SUPPORT
9 September 2003
Overview
Introduction |
In March and September of each year the Department varies certain pension and allowance rates and thresholds in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and/or Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE). We do not send advice letters to all pensioners whose pensions are adjusted because of the CPI or MTAWE – information on these increases is contained in the latest edition of VetAffairs. Letters are only sent to those pensioners on less than the maximum rate of income support pension and who have managed investments (MIs) and/or shares (SHs) in their assessment. This Departmental Instruction provides information about the mailout and advises of the significant issues relating to this exercise. Letters will be sent to pensioners affected by the events as set out in the following paragraph. |
Significant Issues- of Managed Investment and Share Global Refresh Mailout |
The September 2003 Quarterly mailout will incorporate the following events for payday 2 October 2003 (WEF 20 September 2003). Issues of significance with regard to this mailout are as follows:
|
Significant Issues- of Managed Investment and Share Global Refresh Mailout – Continued |
|
Letter Content
Advice Letter Target Audience |
A letter will be produced for the following clients who have MIs and/or SHs in their assessment:
|
New Department Letterhead Logo |
We will be implementing the new Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs logo on our letterhead and envelopes for this mailout. |
Financial Assets Reassess-ment |
The asset value of managed investment and/or share data will be reassessed as part of this process. Clients with MI and/or SH data in their assessment will receive a paragraph advising them of the ...Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments... |
Managed Investments and/or Shares Information Attachment |
All less than maximum rate income support recipients with MIs and/or SHs in their assessment will receive a full listing of all their Managed Investments and/or Shares regardless of which MIs and/or SHs have been reassessed. A full Income and Assets Attachment will not be provided. |
CPI |
There will be a brief reference made in the advice letters about the CPI increase after the 'Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments' paragraph. |
Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) |
There will be a brief reference to MTAWE made in the advice letters after the 'Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments' paragraph. Advice on CPI and MTAWE variations will be included in the September edition of VetAffairs – VetAffairs distribution is to commence on Thursday, 18 — th September 2003 to be completed by Friday, 26 — th September 2003. |
Obligations suppressed |
Obligations are to be suppressed for all letters produced. Reference will be made to previous obligations issued to clients and in the case of Service Pension and Income Support Supplement recipients, reference will also be made to obligations provided in the 'You and Your Pension' Booklet. The Financial Obligations paragraph (including the Prescribed Rates) will be present in the advice for all clients (excluding Blinded pensioners and clients reduced to nil.) |
$1 Minimum Variation Rules |
The $1min rules will be applied to all less than max rate SP and ISS variation cases ie., an increase or reduction must be equal to or greater than a $1 amount to receive an advice. $1min rules do not apply to Age Pensioners. |
Continuation Cases |
Cases where the 'old rate' resulting from the Statutory Increase (SI) processing and the 'new rate' resulting from MI/SH refresh end up being the same amount after the reassessment will not have an advice produced. |
Treatment Advices to be Checked |
As is the procedure for quarterly processing all Enclosure (treatment changes) advice letters will be printed at the IBM printhub and sent via courier to each State Office. We request that these letters be checked for accuracy prior to sending, and reconciled against the reports received by each State Office. |
Tasmanian Clients with Overseas Address |
Tasmanian State Office clients who have an overseas postal address will have the full, meaningful overseas address printing on their advice letters. The advice letters for Tasmanian overseas clients will be printed, enveloped and sent from the mailing house. This is a change from previous years where the letters were sent back to the Tasmanian Branch for posting. |
Group Addressees/Special Register Advices |
Special Register advice letters are to be streamed for the South Australian State Office only - they will be printed at the IBM Printhub at St Leonard's in Sydney and forwarded to the South Australia State Office for checking and posting. All other State's Special Register advices will form part of the bulk advices to be printed and sent from the mailing house. |
Blinded Clients will not Receive an Advice |
As blind persons are not subject to the income and assets test they will not receive an advice regardless of whether they have MIs and/or SHs in their assessment - as any changes to their MIs/SHs as a result of the reassessment will not affect their rate of pension. However, if they are in a joint assessment where their partner is not blind the non-blind member of the couple will receive a single advice where they are on less than the maximum rate of income support pension and have MIs and/or SHs in their assessment. |
General Information Sheet |
Each letter will contain a General Information Sheet (GIS). This will act as the consistent last page for gatemarking purposes at the mailing house. The GIS provides details of new rates and threshold information. A number of wording changes have been made to the GIS. We have provided additional information on the Gold Card Income and Assets Limits and have clarified to whom they do and do not apply. |
Single & Joint Letters |
All Service Pensioners and Income Support Supplement recipient couples will receive a joint letter, provided the pensioner addresses are identical. Age Pensioner couples will receive separate letters. |
Production of Advice Letters
Processing |
Processing is scheduled to run from PM Friday, 12 — th September 2003 through until approximately PM Sunday, 14 — th September 2003. |
Critical Dates |
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Processing Weekend within DVA (includes 'advices' processing) |
Friday (pm) 12 — th September 2003 – Sunday (pm) 14 — th September 2003 |
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Commence dispatch of Production Data to SMS |
Monday, 15 — th September 2003 |
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Commence printing Advice Letters |
Tuesday, 16 — th September 2003 |
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End Printing Advice Letters |
Friday, 19 — th September 2003 |
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National Lodgement of Advice Letters with Australia Post |
By COB Friday, 19 — th September 2003 |
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Client Numbers |
The following is a summary of client numbers in each State. The numbers are approximates only: |
STATE |
NO. OF LETTERS (Approx Only and includes Special Register, Overseas and Enclosures) |
New South Wales (incl ACT) |
9,274 |
Victoria |
7,075 |
Queensland |
6,062 |
Western Australia |
2,920 |
South Australia |
2,728 |
Tasmania |
952 |
Tasmania – Overseas |
87 |
|
TOTAL |
29,098 (Based on March 2003 Statistics) |
Printing of Letters |
Security Mailing Services (SMS) Sydney, will print, fold and insert advice letters in the week from Tuesday, 16 — th September 2003 through until Friday 19 — th September 2003. |
Lodgement of Letters |
All State's letters will be lodged with Australia Post on Friday, 19th September 2003. A representative from National Office will notify and confirm all lodgement details. The State Office Contacts for this exercise will be given progress reports and advised of any changes to this timetable. |
Foreign Pension Refresh Program known as GROOVER |
The foreign pension refresh program referred to as 'GROOVER' (Global Refresh Of Overseas Exchange Rates) is a separate processing exercise to the September SI and is scheduled to run on 20 — th – 21 — st September 2003 - the weekend following the September SI processing. The effective date of the Foreign Pensions Refresh Run is 20 — th September 2003 for effective payday 2 — nd October 2003. Separate advices are produced for clients who have foreign pensions, excluding the BRI pension types (08 & 09). Clients whose pension has been varied will receive an advice. Advices from this processing will be printed at the IMB Printhub and couriered to each State Office for checking and posting. |
Issues Requiring State Office Action
Special Register, & Enclosure Advice Letters |
Special Register (for SA State Office only) and Enclosure (treatment changes) advice letters will be printed at the IBM Printhub at St Leonard's in Sydney and sent via courier to each State Office. These should be checked for accuracy, and reconciled against the reports received by each State Office. Each State Office will receive a report detailing the advice letters produced in each of these categories. We will advise SSOs in each State when to expect delivery of these letters. Please notify Pat Webb, Advices and Cards Team on (02) 9213 7288 if the letters do not arrive or if they do not match the reports. |
Reprints of selected letters |
Reprints of individual Quarterly Advice letters can be requested via VIEW – Advices Tab reprint facility immediately following the processing weekend. |
'HELD' Advices to be Forced |
As part of the Batch processing run any advices in 'Held' status will be forced to print. Forced held advices will print at each respective State Office's nominated printer as part of the production processing. Please ensure your designated printer is fully operational during the processing period. These advices will need to be checked to ensure the information in them is correct prior to posting. |
Holding of daily advice letters |
Daily payment advice letters produced after the processing run on the weekend of 12 — th - 14 — th September 2003 for clients who have MIs and/or SHs in their assessment, should be held pending notification that the quarterly letters have been dispatched. This will ensure that pensioner's receive their advice letters in chronological order. |
State Office Contacts
State Office Point of Contact |
A contact person from each State has previously been identified to act as a liaison point for the National Office Advices Team and will be the responsible person for distributing any information regarding the global refresh and mailout to staff. State Office Contacts for the September quarterly processing are: NSW: Genia Sacharczuk - 02 9213 7106 VIC: David Price - 03 9284 6379 QLD: Steve Jensen – 07 3223 8835 SA: Graham Bate - 08 8290 0425 WA: Kim Gooding - 08 9366 8549/John Gliddon - 08 9366 8417 TAS: Bryon Kelly – 03 6221 6698 ACT: Kristie Chynoweth - 02 6289 6019 |
National Office Contacts
Feedback from State Offices |
Any concerns regarding letters produced as part of this run should be directed to the National Office Contact Officer, Pat Webb. Please forward your feedback on this exercise to the National Office Contact Officer, noting the nature of the query together with any relevant information – every effort will be made to develop solutions to address any concerns raised. Please ensure that problems are reported as early as possible. |
Contacts |
There will be one National Office contact for this mailout. Any queries regarding advice wording, data cartridges, mail house printing and lodgement of letters with Australia Post should be referred to: Pat Webb (02) 9213 7288 (Phone) (02) 9213 7889 6553 (Fax) pat.webb2@dva.gov.au (email) Systems issues should be directed to: Warren Walsh on (02) 9213 7254 or Renee Arkinstall on (02) 6289 6777. |
Letter Mockups
Letters |
Prior to the issue of this Departmental Instruction, the State Office Contact Officers for this exercise and Managers Income Support were provided with copies of the proposed paragraph sequencing and mock-ups of advice letters for this run. All recommendations received have been taken into consideration for the final version of paragraphs and sequencing. An email will be forwarded to the State Contact Officers advising of the changes in respect of all comments received. Copies of the amended advice letters for this run are at Attachment A of this DI. Attachment A – Paragraph sequencing and Advice Letter Examples Example 1: Overall Decrease - either from Maximum Rate to less than Maximum Rate or decrease in Less than Max Rate Amount, Payment Information Attachment, MI/SH Information Attachment, General Information Sheet (GIS) Example 2: Increase from Less than Maximum Rate to Maximum Rate - WITH Managed Investments and/or Shares in Assessment. Service Pension - Single advice Example 3: Overall Increase - remaining on Less than Maximum Rate Income Support Supplement, WITH MIs/SHs in assessment. Payment Information Attachment, MI/SH Information Attachment, and GIS Example 4: Age Pension increase remaining on Less than Maximum Rate, Disability Pension in payment, WITH MIs/SHs in assessment. Example 5: Reduction to Nil, with MIs/SHs in assessment, Single advice |
Letter Variables |
Please note, in the following samples:
|
ATTACHMENT A
EXAMPLE 1:
- OVERALL DECREASE – EITHER FROM MAXIMUM RATE TO LESS THAN MAXIMUM RATE OR DECREASE IN LESS THAN MAXIMUM RATE AMOUNT WITH MIs/SHs IN ASSESSMENT
- SERVICE PENSIONERS
- MARRIED ASSESSMENT
GPO Box 651, Brisbane QLD 4001 |
|
Contact:State Office
Telephone:
AMP Place
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
1!!11 IIIll l 111 1I!! (Barcode?)Postal Address:
JOHN SMITH — GPO Box 651 Brisbane Qld 4001
MARY SMITH — Telephone:
29 MARGARGET STREET — General inquiries: 133 254
IPSWICH QLD 4010 — Non-metropolitan callers: 1800 555 254
Dialling from interstate: 1800 13 1945
Facsimile: (07) 32238585
14 September 2003
YOUR FILE NUMBER IS QX123456
Dear Mr and Mrs SMITH,
I am writing to you about your service pension payment from Veterans' Affairs
Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments
The asset value of your shares which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and/or unit based managed investments has been reassessed. The adjusted value of these investments has been used to work out your service pension payment and has resulted in an overall decrease to the amount of service pension paid to you. Please note that the value of other income and assets you may have has not been affected by this reassessment.
Please refer to the 'Managed Investments and Shares Information' Attachment included in this letter. This Attachment details all your managed investments and/or shares regardless of whether there has been a change to that managed investment or share. It is important that you check that this list is a full and accurate statement of your managed investments and/or shares. We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of service pension you are paid.
Your pension has also been adjusted in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE).
This change will take effect from 20 September 2003.
Payment Information
Details of your payments are provided in the Payment Information Attachment.
Financial Obligations
You need to tell us within 14 days (28 days if you are living overseas or receive Remote Area Allowance) if your combined gross income from all sources is more than $XXXX.XX per fortnight or the value of your combined assets, apart from your home, is more than $XXXXXX.XX. Income includes deemed income from your financial assets and income from other sources.
Other Obligations
We have explained your obligations to you in previous letters and the booklet 'You and Your Pension'. These obligations still apply.
Changes You Have Already Told Us About
If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent. If this is the case, we will send you another letter providing details of your new pension assessment when that change has been finalised. This normally takes no more than 4 weeks.
Your Right of Review
If you do not agree with this variation to your pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a Review Officer at this office. If you do decide to apply, you must do so within three months of being advised of this decision. Such a request for review must be in writing, and must set out your reasons for seeking this review.
If you have any questions about matters concerning Income Support issues you should contact our Income Support Staff on 1300 550 452. For any other inquiries please contact the Department at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID MACKRELL
Deputy Commissioner
PAYMENT INFORMATION ATTACHMENT
The Department now calculates service pension payments on a daily basis. This means that your fortnightly pension payment is now made up of 14 days of entitlement of pension. Therefore, when there is a change to your circumstances on any particular day in the fortnight - your pension will be adjusted from that day. For that reason your pension payment may be different for one or two paydays after a reassessment.
Payment for 02 OCTOBER 2003VeteranPartner
TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENTxxx.x xxx.xx
This is made up of:
- xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx — xxx.xx xxx.xx
- xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx.xx xx.xx
Payment for 16 OCTOBER 2003VeteranPartner
TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENTxxx.xx xxx.xx
This is made up of:
- xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx — xxx.xx xxx.xx
- xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx.xx xx.xx
Payment Destination
The following table shows where your pension payments are going.
Date |
Name |
Payment Destination |
Amount Deposited |
02/10/03 |
J SMITH |
BSA 574286330 |
$xxx.xx |
M SMITH |
BSA 574286330 |
$xxx.xx |
|
TOTAL |
$xxx.xx |
||
16/10/03 |
J SMITH |
BSA 574286330 |
$xxx.xx |
M SMITH |
BSA 574286330 |
$xxx.xx |
|
TOTAL |
$xxx.xx |
Please Note: If you have an overpayment or lump sum advance which is currently being recovered (by deductions from your fortnightly pension), then amount paid into your account may be less than the total fortnightly payment shown above.
MANAGED INVESTMENTS AND SHARES INFORMATION
(Information current as at 14 September 2003)
You are receiving service pension at less than the maximum rate payable.
You are currently paid under the income test. The total of your assessed gross fortnightly income is $xxx.xx. The total of all your assets (excluding any deductible assets) is $xxx.xx.
Information about your managed investments and shares is provided below.
Your managed investments and shares have been automatically updated. The information below sets out the new values for these products.
Managed Investments
Description |
Units |
Asset Amount |
VVVVVVVVVV |
XX |
$XX.XX |
CCCCCCCCCCCCC |
XXX |
$XX.XX |
Listed Securities and Unlisted Public Securities
Description |
No. of Shares |
Asset Amount |
XXXXXX |
X,XXX |
$XX,XXX.XX |
QQQQQQQQQQQQQ |
XXX |
$ X,XXX.XX |
Note: Income from financial assets is deemed.
Please note: We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of service pension you are paid. If they have changed, please notify the Department immediately.
You need to tell us within 14 days (28 days if you are living overseas or receive Remote Area Allowance) (Note: RAA wording is not included for Age Pensioners who receive this para in production advices) if the above list of your Managed Investments and/or Shares is incomplete or incorrect, or if the number of shares or units you hold has changed. Please note that failure to advise of incorrect or missing information about your managed investments or shares, or about other income or asset changes may lead to your pension being overpaid. Such overpayments are recoverable.
This is an example of the General Information Sheet (GIS) for Service Pensioners that will be used in the September mailout. There is a separate GIS for both income support supplement and age pensioner recipients. Production printing of the GIS is restricted to one page – two images. PLEASE NOTE: Rates and thresholds have not been updated to reflect changes due to CPI or MTAWE as changes had not been released at the time of producing this document.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON SERVICE PENSION RATES AND LIMITS
(Information current as at T-ADVICE-PRINT-DATE )
MAXIMUM RATES OF SERVICE PENSION (excludes pharmaceutical allowance)
Singles Rate$440.30 (per fortnight)
Couples Rate (each)$367.50 (per fortnight)
PENSION INCOME LIMIT (per fortnight)
Before Service Pension ReducesCut Off*
Singles Limit$120.00 $1,235.25
Couples Limit (combined)$212.00 $2,064.00
PENSION ASSETS LIMIT
Before Service Pension ReducesCut Off*
Home Owner
Singles Limit$149,500$298,250
Couples Limit (combined)$212,500$459,500
Non Home Owner
Singles Limit$257,500$406,250
Couples Limit (combined)$320,500$567,500
These pension income and assets limits may increase for each dependent child or student up to the age of T-CHILD-AGE, or if rent assistance is payable.
NOTE: *Income and assets limits do not apply to blinded service pensioners.
GOLD CARD INCOME AND ASSETS CUT OFF LIMITS
The treatment benefits income and assets limits apply to you if you are an Australian veteran or mariner whose eligibility for the Gold Card is dependent solely on your service pension payment.
INCOME
Singles Limit $338.50 (per fortnight)
Couples Limit (combined) $589.00 (per fortnight)
Add $72.60 per fortnight for each dependent child or student to the age of T-CHILD-AGE.
ASSETS
Home OwnerNon Home Owner
Singles Limit$178,750$286,750
Couples Limit (combined)$263,000$371,000
Add approximately $6,500 for each dependent child or student up to the age of T-CHILD-AGE.
GOLD CARD INFORMATION
The Gold Card income and assets limits apply if you receive a disability pension below 50% of the general rate and you also receive an amount of service pension. Should your assessed income or assets exceed these limits you will no longer be eligible for the Gold Card.
The Gold Card income and assets limits do not apply if:
- your disability pension is above 50% of the general rate and you also receive an amount of service pension. Should your service pension cease due to excess income and assets, you will no longer be eligible for a Gold Card;
- you receive a disability pension at 100% of the general rate, Intermediate rate, EDA or TPI; or
- you are aged 70 years or over and you are a veteran who served in Australia's Defence Force and have qualifying service from any conflict or you are an Australian Mariner with qualifying service from World War II.
DEEMING
Deeming assumes that any money you have invested in financial assets is earning a particular amount of income regardless of the actual amount earned. The deeming rates are:
Singles
Low Rate:- 2.5% interest up to the threshold of $35,600
High Rate:- 4% interest for the remaining balance
Couples
Low Rate:- 2.5% interest up to the threshold of $59,400
High Rate:- 4% interest for the remaining balance
ILLNESS SEPARATED COUPLES
Couples separated due to ill health are paid at the single rate of service pension, but have their income and assets assessed as a couple.
RENT ASSISTANCE
You may be eligible for rent assistance if you pay rent to a non-government body or landlord. The amount of rent assistance you receive depends on the amount of rent you pay and your family circumstances. Rent assistance is paid at the rate of 75 cents in the dollar for every dollar you pay over the set rent limits.
When calculating the amount of rent assistance payable, any disability pension received, is counted as income and may reduce the rate of rent assistance payable to you or your partner.
Maximum Amount of Rent Assistance Payable (per fortnight)
Singles Rate (no children)$93.20
Couples Rate (combined, no children)$88.00
Rent Thresholds (per fortnight)
Singles Rate (no children)$82.80
Couples Rate (combined, no children) $134.80
EXAMPLE 2:
- INCREASE FROM LESS THAN MAXIMUM RATE TO MAXIMUM RATE AMOUNT WITH MIs/SHs IN ASSESSMENT
- SERVICE PENSIONER
- SINGLE ASSESSMENT
GPO Box 651, Brisbane QLD 4001
Contact:State Office
Telephone:
AMP Place
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
1!!11 IIIll l 111 1I!! (Barcode?)Postal Address:
JOHN SMITH — GPO Box 651 Brisbane Qld 4001
29 MARGARET STREET — Telephone:
IPSWICH QLD 4010 — General inquiries: 133 254
Non-metropolitan callers: 1800 555 254
Dialling from interstate: 1800 13 1945
Facsimile: (07) 32238585
14 September 2003
YOUR FILE NUMBER IS QX123456
Dear Mr SMITH,
I am writing to you about your service pension payment from Veterans' Affairs
Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments
The asset value of your shares which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and/or unit based managed investments has been reassessed. The adjusted value of these investments has been used to work out your service pension payment and has resulted in an increase to the amount of service pension paid to you. Please note that the value of other income and assets you may have has not been affected by this reassessment.
Please refer to the Managed Investments and Shares Information Attachment included in this letter. This Attachment details all your managed investments and/or shares regardless of whether there has been a change to that managed investment or share. It is important that you check that this list is a full and accurate statement of your managed investments and/or shares. We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of service pension you are paid.
Your pension has also been adjusted in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE).
This change will take effect from 20 September 2003.
Payment Information
Details of your payments are provided in the Payment Information Attachment.
Financial Obligations
You need to tell us within 14 days (28 days if you are living overseas or receive Remote Area Allowance) if your gross income from all sources is more than $XXXX.XX per fortnight or the value of your assets, apart from your home, is more than $XXXXXX.XX. Income includes deemed income from your financial assets and income from other sources.
Other Obligations
We have explained your obligations to you in previous letters and the booklet 'You and Your Pension'. These obligations still apply.
Changes You Have Already Told Us About
If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent. If this is the case, we will send you another letter providing details of your new pension assessment when that change has been finalised. This normally takes no more than 4 weeks.
Your Right of Review
If you do not agree with this variation to your pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a Review Officer at this office. If you do decide to apply, you must do so within three months of being advised of this decision. Such a request for review must be in writing, and must set out your reasons for seeking this review.
If you have any questions about matters concerning Income Support issues you should contact our Income Support Staff on 1300 550 452. For any other inquiries please contact the Department at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID MACKRELL
Deputy Commissioner
ATTACHMENTS
- Payment Information Attachment - YES
- Managed Investments and/or Shares Information Attachment - YES
General Information Sheet - YES
EXAMPLE 3:
- OVERALL INCREASE – REMAINING ON LESS THAN MAXIMUM RATE OF INCOME SUPPORT SUPPLEMENT WITH MIs/SHs IN ASSESSMENT
- INCOME SUPPORT SUPPLEMENT – SINGLE ADVICE
GPO Box 651, Brisbane QLD 4001
Contact:State Office
Telephone:
AMP Place
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
1!!11 IIIll l 111 1I!! (Barcode?)Postal Address:
GERALDINE THOMPSON — GPO Box 651 Brisbane Qld 4001
29 MARGARET STREET — Telephone:
IPSWICH QLD 4010 — General inquiries: 133 254
Non-metropolitan callers: 1800 555 254
Dialling from interstate: 1800 13 1945
Facsimile: (07) 32238585
14 September 2003
YOUR FILE NUMBER IS QX666666
Dear Mrs THOMPSON,
I am writing to you about your income support supplement payment from Veterans' Affairs.
Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments
The asset value of your shares which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and/or unit based managed investments has been reassessed. The adjusted value of these investments has been used to work out your income support supplement payment and has resulted in an increase to the amount of income support supplement paid to you. Please note that the value of other income and assets you may have has not been affected by this reassessment.
Please refer to the Managed Investments and Shares Information Attachment included in this letter. This Attachment details all your managed investments and/or shares regardless of whether there has been a change to that managed investment or share. It is important that you check that this list is a full and accurate statement of your managed investments and/or shares. We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of income support supplement you are paid.
Your pension has also been adjusted in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE).
This change will take effect from 20 September 2003.
Payment Information
Details of your payments are provided in the Payment Information Attachment.
Financial Obligations
You need to tell us within 14 days (28 days if you are living overseas or receive Remote Area Allowance) if your gross income from all sources is more than $XXXX.XX per fortnight or the value of your assets, apart from your home, is more than $XXXXXX.XX. Income includes deemed income from your financial assets and income from other sources.
Other Obligations
We have explained your obligations to you in previous letters and the booklet 'You and Your Pension'. These obligations still apply.
Changes You Have Already Told Us About
If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent. If this is the case, we will send you another letter providing details of your new pension assessment when that change has been finalised. This normally takes no more than 4 weeks.
Your Right of Review
If you do not agree with this variation to your pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a Review Officer at this office. If you do decide to apply, you must do so within three months of being advised of this decision. Such a request for review must be in writing, and must set out your reasons for seeking this review.
If you have any questions about matters concerning Income Support issues you should contact our Income Support Staff on 1300 550 452. For any other inquiries please contact the Department at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID MACKRELL
Deputy Commissioner
ATTACHMENT
- Payment Information Attachment - YES
- Managed Investments and/or Shares Information Attachment - YES
General Information Sheet - YES
EXAMPLE 4:
- AGE PENSION INCREASE, REMAINING ON LESS THAN MAXIMUM RATE WITH MIs/SHs IN ASSESSMENT
- DISABILITY PENSION IN PAYMENT
- SINGLE ASSESSMENT
GPO Box 651, Brisbane QLD 4001
Contact:State Office
Telephone:
AMP Place
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
1!!11 IIIll l 111 1I!! (Barcode?)Postal Address:
JOHN JONES — PO Box 651 Brisbane Qld 4001
29 MARGARET STREET — Telephone:
IPSWICH QLD 4010 — General inquiries: 133 254
Non-metropolitan callers: 1800 555 254
Dialling from interstate: 1800 13 1945
Facsimile: (07) 32238585
14 September 2003
YOUR FILE NUMBER IS QKM10000
Dear Mr JONES,
I am writing to you about your age pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.
Change to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments
The asset value of your shares which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and/or unit based managed investments has been reassessed. The adjusted value of these investments has been used to work out your age pension payment and has resulted in an increase to the amount of age pension paid to you. Please note that the value of other income and assets you may have has not been affected by this reassessment.
Please refer to the Managed Investments and Shares Information Attachment included in this letter. This Attachment details all your managed investments and/or shares regardless of whether there has been a change to that managed investment or share. It is important that you check that this list is a full and accurate statement of your managed investments and/or shares. We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of age pension you are paid.
Your pension has also been adjusted in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE).
This change will take effect from 20 September 2003.
Payment Information
Details of your payments are provided in the Payment Information Attachment.
Financial Obligations
You need to tell us within 14 days (28 days if you are living overseas) if your gross income from all sources is more than $XXXX.XX per fortnight or the value of your assets, apart from your home, is more than $XXXXXX.XX. Income includes deemed income from your financial assets and income from other sources.
Other Obligations
We have explained your obligations to you in previous letters. These obligations still apply.
Changes You Have Already Told Us About
If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent. If this is the case, we will send you another letter providing details of your new pension assessment when that change has been finalised. This normally takes no more than 4 weeks.
Your Right of Review
If you do not agree with this decision, you can contact your nearest DVA office and discuss the reasons for the decision. If you remain dissatisfied, you may apply to have the decision reviewed by an Authorised Review Officer, with no prior involvement in the case. If you decide to apply for a review more than 13 weeks from the day this notice is given to you, arrears can only be paid from the date we receive your application. Requests for review may be made in person, by telephone or in writing.
If you have any questions about matters concerning Income Support issues you should contact our Income Support Staff on 1300 550 452. For any other inquiries please contact the Department at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID MACKRELL
Deputy Commissioner as Delegate of the Secretary
ATTACHMENTS
- Payment Information Attachment - YES
- Managed Investments and/or Shares Information Attachment - YES
- General Information Sheet - YES
EXAMPLE 5:
- SERVICE PENSION - REDUCTION TO NIL WITH MIs/SHs IN ASSESSMENT
- SINGLE ASSESSMENT
GPO Box 651, Brisbane QLD 4001
Contact:State Office
Telephone:
AMP Place
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
1!!11 IIIll l 111 1I!! (Barcode?)Postal Address:
WILLIAM TELL — GPO Box 651 Brisbane Qld 4001
29 MARGARET STREET — Telephone:
IPSWICH QLD 4010 — General inquiries: 133 254
Non-metropolitan callers: 1800 555 254
Dialling from interstate: 1800 13 1945
Facsimile: (07) 32238585
14 September 2003
YOUR FILE NUMBER IS QX333444
Dear Mr TELL,
I am writing to you about your service pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.
Changes to Value of Shares and/or Managed Investments
The asset value of your shares which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and/or unit based managed investment has been reassessed. The adjusted value of these investments has been used to work out your service pension payment and has resulted in your service pension being reduced to nil. Details of your investments are listed in this advice. Please note that the value of other income and assets you may have has not been affected by this reassessment.
Please refer to the Managed Investments and Shares Information Attachment included in this letter. This Attachment details all your managed investments and/or shares regardless of whether there has been a change to that managed investment or share. It is important that you check that this list is a full and accurate statement of your managed investments and/or shares. We have not provided you with a complete listing of any other income or assets you may have in your assessment, as they remain unchanged. However, they continue to be used in assessing the amount of service pension you are paid.
Your pension has also been adjusted in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE).
Your service pension has been reduced to nil because your income and/or assets exceed the limits that allow for payment of the pension.
This change will take effect from 20 September 2003.
Payment Information
Details of your payments are provided in the Payment Information Attachment.
Fringe Benefits
As you are no longer eligible for a service pension you no longer qualify for fringe benefits from this Department. Please destroy your existing Pensioner Concession Card.
Your Right to Re-Apply
You may re-apply to have your service pension restored at any time if your income and/or assets fall below the limits that would allow for payment of the pension.
Changes You Have Already Told Us About
If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent. If this is the case, we will send you another letter providing details of your new pension assessment when that change has been finalised. This normally takes no more than 4 weeks.
Your Right of Review
If you do not agree with this variation to your pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a Review Officer at this office. If you do decide to apply, you must do so within three months of being advised of this decision. Such a request for review must be in writing, and must set out your reasons for seeking this review.
If you have any questions about matters concerning Income Support issues you should contact our Income Support Staff on 1300 550 452. For any other inquiries please contact the Department at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
DAVID MACKRELL
Deputy Commissioner
ATTACHMENTS
- Payment Information Attachment - YES
- Managed Investments and/or Shares Information Attachment - YES
- General Information Sheet - YES