SENIORS ALLOWANCE TO BENEFIT GOLD CARD HOLDERS

More than 44 000 veterans and war widows will benefit from a 2005-06 Federal Budget initiative to extend the Australian Government’s seniors concession allowance to older veterans who have a Gold Card, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, said tonight.

Mrs Kelly said the Government had committed $27.7 million over four years to assist Gold Card holders in meeting the cost of energy, rates, water and sewerage and motor registration.

“The seniors concession allowance was introduced for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders in December 2004, in line with the Howard Government’s election commitment to help self-funded retirees maintain the lifestyle they deserve,” she said.

“More than 290 000 Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders have already benefited from the allowance from either DVA or Centrelink. This initiative will ensure an additional 44 000 Gold Card holders over veteran pension age, who do not already receive the seniors concession allowance or the twice yearly pensioners utilities allowance, will now get the support they need.”

The seniors concession allowance is a non-taxable payment of $200, paid in two instalments on 1 June and 1 December each year. The annual rate of the allowance is indexed twice yearly.

The Minister said Gold Card holders over veteran pension age, who did not already receive the seniors concession allowance or the utilities allowance, would automatically be paid the first instalment of their new entitlement as soon as practical after 1 December 2005.

“This Government previously extended the Gold Card to all veterans aged over 70 with qualifying service from any conflict, in recognition of their increased health needs as they grow older,” Mrs Kelly said.

“This initiative recognises the special needs of Gold Card holders and ensures they receive support in meeting their utilities bills.”

More information about the initiative is available at www.dva.gov.au.

Media contact: Craig Clarke 0417 889 423