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Government income support
There is a wide range of income and other support services for older Australians. Usually you will need to meet certain Australian residency requirements. If you have any queries, always contact the relevant organisation.
Following are links to the Australian Government Seniors Portal:
Age pension
You may qualify for an Age Pension if you are over a certain age and you meet an assets and income test.
Centrepay
Centrepay allows Centrelink (more information) customers to have regular amounts deducted from their Centrelink payments for various purposes.
Disability Support Pension
To claim the Disability Support Pension, you must be aged 16 or over and under Age Pension age, and
- assessed as not being able to work or be retrained for work of at least 15 hours per week within two years because of your illness, injury or disability, or
- permanently blind, or
- participating in the Supported Wage System (SWS).
Lump sum advance payment
Centrelink customers may be eligible for an advance payment of their pension or benefit.
Partner allowance
You may qualify for a partner allowance if you were born on or before 1 July 1955.
However, there are no new claims past 20 September 2003.
Pension loan scheme
This scheme may be available to people whose capital is tied up in assets and you and/or your partner are eligible for a pension under the income or assets test.
Utilities allowance
You may be eligible for help to pay your utilities bills.
Widow allowance
Are you a woman who has turned 50 years of age, is not a member of a couple, has become widowed, divorced or separated since turning 40 years of age, and has no recent workforce experience? (There are no new grants from 1 July 2005).
Financial assistance
There is financial assistance available in many forms to help you and/or your carer, including:
- the Disability Support Pension, available to people who are under Age Pension age and more than16 years of age who are unable to work for a prolonged period of time because of a disability.
- the Mobility Allowance, paid to eligible disabled workers or trainees 16 years or older to meet the extra cost of travel
- the Carer Payment, which provides an income-support payment (similar to a pension) for people whose caring responsibilities prevent them from significantly participating in the workforce, and
- the Carer Allowance, which provides an income supplement for people who provide daily care and attention at home for an adult or child with a disability or severe medical condition.
For information about these pensions and benefits, contact Centrelink on 13 23 00.
Centrelink can also help with information about Rent Assistance, the Age Pension and concession cards. Centrelink also provides the Financial Information Service, a free and independent financial planning service available to you whether or not you are receiving a pension or benefit.
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