C20/2007 2008 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Purpose

To provide information about the annual bulk issue of the 2008 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 location 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.

Valid

The 2008 CSHC will be valid from 1 October 2007 until 30 September 2008.

Numbers

The approximate number of cards to be produced from the bulk issue is 11094.  The breakdown for each state is:

State

Number

NSW/ACT

3590

VIC

2767

QLD

1957

WA

1536

SA/NT

1013

TAS

231

Total

11094

Dates

The following dates apply to the 2008 annual bulk issue:

Task

Date

Production data extract

26 August 2007

Implement changes to daily template

27 August 2007

Produce reports for states

27 August 2007

Mailing house commence printing, enveloping and lodgement of cards

on or before
31 August 2007

Final lodgement date with Australia Post

7 September 2007

Reports

Summary and Non-Issued Reports will print at the nominated printers for location contacts on Monday 27 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 27 August.  From this date a 2008 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

Geraldine Howard

VIC

David Price

SA/NT

Maria Lewandowski

WA

John Gliddon

TAS

Bryon Kelly

Project Coordinator

The project coordinator for the bulk issue of the 2008 CSHC is:

Sarah Paras

Business Operations

Income Support

Phone:  02 6289 6534             e-mail:  sarah.paras@dva.gov.au

or

Carol Walsh

Business Operations

Income Support

Phone:  02 6289 6729             e-mail:  carolyn.walsh@dva.gov.au