Federal member for McPherson, Karen Andrews, says over 650 former part-pensioners on the southern Gold Coast will have their Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) reinstated from this week.
These former part-pensioners lost the card in January following reforms to the pension assets test, which were designed to make the pension system more affordable and sustainable for the future.
“Those reforms provided increased pension for people with lower levels of assets, whilst some part-pensioners with high levels of assets lost access to their part pensions,” Mrs Andrews said.
“As a consequence, those with higher levels of assets also lost their PCC and could no longer access a range of state and territory as well as local government and private sector benefits, such as discounted council rates and public transport fares.
“In reinstating the PCC, the Turnbull Government has is ensuring that these 90,000 former part-pensioners, including 660 in McPherson will be able to receive those benefits again in the future,” Mrs Andrews said.
The PCC will be automatically reinstated from this week, commencing Monday October 9th, and it is expected that all those eligible will have their card within the next fortnight.
“Those expecting a reissued card don’t need to do anything to receive it, it will be sent to them automatically.
“They will also retain the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which continued to be provided after the January 2017 pension changes. This means they will continue to be paid the energy supplement that they formerly received with their pension.”
For more information about reinstatement of the pensioner concession card, go to www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/news/pensioner-concession-card-reinstatement
For more information on assets levels go to www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/assets.
