PCC concession card on its way back
PENSIONER concession cards are prized by retirees, but the raft of changes in the past six months have left many confused.
The following email is typical.
“Being one of those who lost their part pension and (quite valuable) pensioner concession card on 1 Jan 2017, we read with some interest the mention in the recent Federal Budget,of the re-issue of the card to people like us. Can you please confirm this is in train. Our ... council is hot on our heels seeking proof we are eligible for a PCC discount on our rates this year.”
Fortunately, there is good news from Centrelink. A departmental spokesperson has confirmed that from October 9, the Pensioner Concession Card will be reinstated to about 92,300 former pension recipients, including 3600 Veterans’ Affairs payment recipients.
They tell me that the Government recognises that those whose pensions were cancelled on January 1, 2017 because of the rebalancing of the assets test lost their entitlement to a range of concessions without any change to their income or assets.
Centrelink will reinstate the PCC to maximise concessions for these people. This change will help people access discounts and concessions offered by states, territories and private providers.
Consistent with the Health Care Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card they have, the PCC will be automatically reissued over time with an ongoing income and assets test exemption. Other eligibility requirements, such as portability conditions, will still need to be met.
These people will also retain the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to ensure they can get Energy Supplement. The HCC will become redundant and be deactivated.
The PCC will be automatically reissued over time with an ongoing income and assets test exemption.