Centrelink
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card – A card for self-funded retirees
It can seem like there isn’t much help available when it comes to your retirement living expenses if you don’t qualify for the Age Pension.
Read MoreWhat is the Home Equity Access Scheme?
What many of these part-age pensioners may not know is that, along with recipients of the disability support pension, carer payment and some other Centrelink payments, they are able to access some of the equity in their home through the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS).
Read MoreYour 7 Most Common Centrelink Questions at Retirement
Our top seven Centrelink FAQs to help build your knowledge and know your rights when it comes to the subject of retirement and Centrelink.
Read MoreHow do Centrelink assess my foreign pension?
Many Australians were born overseas or have lived and worked overseas for extensive periods. This can have important implications if and when the time comes to apply for the Age Pension.
Read MoreCentrelink Deeming Rate Changes
With interest rates being cut to all-time lows, Centrelink have reduced their ‘deeming’ rates to better reflect what benefit recipients are receiving.
Read MoreStimulus Package – Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card
Those who have held the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card at any time from 12 March to 13 April 2020, will be eligible for the recently announced support payment. Eligible cardholders will receive two stimulus package installments of $750, one from March 31 and the other from July 13.
Read MoreCentrelink Wait Times
With an ageing population and an ever-increasing number of people applying for Centrelink benefits, the processing times of applications is understandably getting longer.
Read MoreHow to hide money from Centrelink – Legally
Not a day goes go by where I am not asked some form of question about how best to structure (hide) money to protect and improve a Centrelink benefit.
Whilst the term “hiding money” brings thoughts of illegal activity to mind, there are legitimate strategies available to you to preserve or enhance your eligibility for a Centrelink benefit.
Read MoreChanges to Centrelink Deeming Rates
Many of you will have heard of the term “deeming”. It is a method used by Centrelink to determine your income when assessing your eligibility for a benefit. Rather than have you declare the exact earnings from your shares or bank accounts, Centrelink “deem” these financial assets to earn a set rate of return.
Read MoreCommonwealth Seniors Health Card – A card for self-funded retirees
Following on from our article last month outlining the features, benefits and eligibility requirements of the Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC), in this article we are going to look at a secondary card, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Whilst this card does not provide the same wide ranging benefits as the LIHCC, it has…
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