Starting in the next few weeks, more Australians will be able to avail of the much-needed health card, which is issued by Centrelink.
It provides citizens with cheaper healthcare, as well as discounts on various products and services.
Those who are 67 years old and are not receiving the age pension can sign up for the card.
Although the card doesn’t require an asset test, a person still has to meet certain income requirements to be eligible for it.
From September 20, the maximum amount that individuals can earn to be eligible for the card will be increased.
For couples, the combined income will be increased to $158,440. According to Services Australia, the company reviews the test annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
According to Services Australia, it will analyze your adjusted gross income and take into account your variable and account-based income, including annuities and pension plans.
Account-based income will be considered when deeming is carried out, which indicates that the government assumes a certain rate of earnings.
See the Income Rules here. For instance, cardholders can get prescriptions for only $7.70 each. This limit is set so that people can get free medicines if they reach the yearly cap of $277.20.
Apart from cheaper healthcare, Centrelink users can also enjoy state-level discounts on various utilities, water and electricity rates, and health care costs.
According to Retirement Essentials, individuals could save up to $3,000 annually by signing up for the health card. Age Pension recipients, on the other hand, get a concession card instead.
What will happen to Centrelink payments and pensions on September 20? The latest round of indexation will begin on September 20.
The concession card will cover various payments indexed twice yearly, such as the Parenting Payment and the Jobseeker Allowance.
For singles, the age pension will increase by almost $30 a fortnight, while couples will get an increase of almost $40.
