Post by Banker on Jan 5, 2011 9:20:43 GMT 7
This has been taken from The Welfare Right Group.
www.welfarerights.org.au/default.aspx
Cheers Banker.
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Age Pension
This factsheet explains who can receive Age Pension and answers some common questions about this payment. Age Pension is a Centrelink payment for people who have reached age pension age.
• What age can I receive Age Pension?
This depends on what year you were born, and for anyone born before 1 July 1952, whether you’re male or female. Men born before 1 July 1952 are eligible at 65. Women born before 31 December 1945 have now reached the qualifying age. Women born between 1 January 1946 and 1 July 1952 are eligible for Age Pension according to the table below:
Women born between: become eligible when they turn:
1 January 1946 and 30 June 1947 64
1 July 1947 and 31 December 1948 64 ½
1 January 1949 and 30 June 1952 65
Men and women born on or after 1 July 1952 are eligible for Age Pension according to the table below:
Men and women born between: become eligible when they turn:
1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953 65 ½
1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955 66
1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956 66 ½
1 January 1957 and after 67
• How long must I have lived in Australia?
To qualify for Age Pension you must have been an Australian resident for a total of 10 years, at least five of these in one continuous period. You must also be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day your claim is lodged, unless you are claiming under an International Social Security Agreement.
If you have spent a significant amount of time in another country, or have significant ties to another country before you claim, Centrelink may make the decision that you no longer regard Australia as your permanent home and are therefore not an Australian resident. In deciding whether you regard Australia as your permanent home, Centrelink will look at your intentions, and your established links with Australia, for example property, bank accounts and family ties.
• What if I want to live overseas?
Once Age Pension is granted, it can be paid overseas indefinitely for any absence (including living overseas permanently), subject to proportional portability and the restriction for former residents.
Proportional portability means that if you have spent less than 25 years in Australia between age 16 and Age Pension age, you can only receive a proportion of your normal amount of payment overseas.
If you are a former resident and have been living overseas, return to Australia and then claim Age Pension, the restriction for former residents means that you need to remain in Australia for two years before you can leave and be paid overseas.
• Should I stay on Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment once I reach age pension age?
The rate of payment, income and asset tests and concession card provided for Age Pension are the same as for Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. Age Pension is generally the better payment for a person of age pension age because:
there are no reviews about medical eligibility (for Disability Support Pension) or about the amount of care provided (Carer Payment);
unlike with Carer Payment, there is no care receiver income and asset test for the person receiving care where the carer is receiving Age Pension;
if you are a carer you may also be entitled to Carer Allowance whether you are on Age Pension or Carer Payment;
there is no limit on the number of hours a week you can work, volunteer or study on Age Pension;
if you are intending to go overseas for more than 13 weeks, the rules for being paid Age Pension outside Australia are more generous.
However you may be better off on either Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment if:
you are studying, as you may be able to get Pensioner Education Supplement or Education Entry Payment;
you currently get the higher rate of Mobility Allowance, as this cannot be paid to Age Pensioners;
you are single and sharing privately rented accommodation, you may be eligible for a higher maximum rate of Rent Assistance than if you receive Age Pension and share accommodation;
you have a partner who currently receives Wife Pension, she will lose access to Pensioner Education Supplement if you transfer to Age Pension;
you are caring for someone other than your partner, who is not receiving Social Security payments and that person dies, as you may be entitled to a bereavement payment;
you receive Carer Payment as, in addition to the Pension Supplement, you will also receive a Carer Supplement.
If you’re not sure whether to transfer to Age Pension from your current payment, speak to a Centrelink officer about it. Once you transfer, you generally can’t change back.
• What if I get a Service Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs?
You can’t receive both Age Pension from Centrelink and a Service Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the same time. There are significant advantages in claiming a Service Pension rather than Age Pension. See the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at: www.dva.gov.au.
• What if I can get a pension from another country?
If you may be entitled to a pension from a foreign country, Centrelink will require you to make a claim. Centrelink is not automatically informed about any pension money you receive from a foreign country, and it is very important to tell Centrelink about all money you receive. If you don’t, you could get a debt, or even be prosecuted.
• How do my assets and income effect my Age Pension payments?
The rate of your Age Pension payments is calculated under both an income and an asset test. The test that results in the lower rate is the test that applies. If your income or assets exceed the limits set by Centrelink you will not receive Age Pension. You can check with Centrelink about the current tests, which are different depending on whether you are single or a member of a couple, and whether you own your own home or not. See Centrelink’s “A Guide to Australian Government Payments” booklet, which is available online at www.centrelink.gov.au or ask for a copy from your local Centrelink office.
• What if I want to sell or give away my home or use the capital in my home?
Centrelink does not treat your home as an asset if it is your ‘principal place of residence’. However if you sell your home to buy a new home, transfer the title in your home to a family member, or borrow money against your home and give the money away to family members, this can have negative consequences on your Age Pension payments. You may be prevented from receiving any payments.
Before you undertake any restructure of your financial resources you should get advice about the potential impact on your Age Pension. Contact Centrelink’s Financial Information Service on 13 23 00 for advice.
If you have already transferred or given away assets without realising the implication for your pension, you may need help in applying to have the value of an asset exempted under the hardship rules. If a debt is raised, you may need help applying to have the debt waived because of your special circumstances. In these situations, contact a Welfare Rights Centre/Advocate for advice.
• What about concession cards and other benefits?
You will automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card and the Pension Supplement if you qualify for Age Pension. If you rent privately and receive Age Pension you may be entitled to Rent Assistance.
People of age pension age who do not qualify for Age Pension based on their assets or income levels, and who do not receive a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension, should apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card which has no assets test, but is income tested. Holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card automatically qualify for the Seniors Supplement.
• Appeal rights
If you think a Centrelink decision is wrong you have the right to appeal against it. Appealing is easy and free. To appeal simply tell Centrelink that you are not happy with its decision and that you would like to appeal to an Authorised Review Officer (ARO). It is best to lodge an appeal in writing and you should keep a copy of your appeal letter. However, you can lodge an appeal over the telephone.
The ARO is a senior officer in Centrelink who has the power to change the original decision. Many people are successful at this level.
You can appeal to an ARO at any time. However, to receive back pay from the date you were affected by the original decision, you must appeal to an ARO within 13 weeks of receiving written notice of the original decision. If you appeal more than 13 weeks after receiving the notice and you are successful, you will only receive back pay from the date you appealed.
If you think the ARO decision is wrong you can appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT). The SSAT is independent of Centrelink.
You have further appeal rights to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court. Time limits apply.
For more information on appealing see the factsheet “Appeals – how to appeal against a Centrelink decision” and the guide “Appealing to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal".
• Interpreters
If you think you need an interpreter, or if you feel more confident with an interpreter, you should use one of the three free available interpreter services.
Most Centrelink offices have interpreters available at regular times each week. Your local Centrelink office can tell you about their available languages and times.
You can telephone the Centrelink Multilingual Call Centre on 131 202 and speak to a bilingual Centrelink officer.
You can also call the free Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter.
Please note: This factsheet contains general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal advice please contact your local Welfare Rights Centre/Advocate.
Welfare Rights Centres are community legal centres, which specialise in Social Security law, administration and policy. They are entirely independent of Centrelink. All assistance is free.
This factsheet was updated in December 2010. www.welfarerights.org.au
www.welfarerights.org.au/default.aspx
Cheers Banker.
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Age Pension
This factsheet explains who can receive Age Pension and answers some common questions about this payment. Age Pension is a Centrelink payment for people who have reached age pension age.
• What age can I receive Age Pension?
This depends on what year you were born, and for anyone born before 1 July 1952, whether you’re male or female. Men born before 1 July 1952 are eligible at 65. Women born before 31 December 1945 have now reached the qualifying age. Women born between 1 January 1946 and 1 July 1952 are eligible for Age Pension according to the table below:
Women born between: become eligible when they turn:
1 January 1946 and 30 June 1947 64
1 July 1947 and 31 December 1948 64 ½
1 January 1949 and 30 June 1952 65
Men and women born on or after 1 July 1952 are eligible for Age Pension according to the table below:
Men and women born between: become eligible when they turn:
1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953 65 ½
1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955 66
1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956 66 ½
1 January 1957 and after 67
• How long must I have lived in Australia?
To qualify for Age Pension you must have been an Australian resident for a total of 10 years, at least five of these in one continuous period. You must also be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day your claim is lodged, unless you are claiming under an International Social Security Agreement.
If you have spent a significant amount of time in another country, or have significant ties to another country before you claim, Centrelink may make the decision that you no longer regard Australia as your permanent home and are therefore not an Australian resident. In deciding whether you regard Australia as your permanent home, Centrelink will look at your intentions, and your established links with Australia, for example property, bank accounts and family ties.
• What if I want to live overseas?
Once Age Pension is granted, it can be paid overseas indefinitely for any absence (including living overseas permanently), subject to proportional portability and the restriction for former residents.
Proportional portability means that if you have spent less than 25 years in Australia between age 16 and Age Pension age, you can only receive a proportion of your normal amount of payment overseas.
If you are a former resident and have been living overseas, return to Australia and then claim Age Pension, the restriction for former residents means that you need to remain in Australia for two years before you can leave and be paid overseas.
• Should I stay on Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment once I reach age pension age?
The rate of payment, income and asset tests and concession card provided for Age Pension are the same as for Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. Age Pension is generally the better payment for a person of age pension age because:
there are no reviews about medical eligibility (for Disability Support Pension) or about the amount of care provided (Carer Payment);
unlike with Carer Payment, there is no care receiver income and asset test for the person receiving care where the carer is receiving Age Pension;
if you are a carer you may also be entitled to Carer Allowance whether you are on Age Pension or Carer Payment;
there is no limit on the number of hours a week you can work, volunteer or study on Age Pension;
if you are intending to go overseas for more than 13 weeks, the rules for being paid Age Pension outside Australia are more generous.
However you may be better off on either Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment if:
you are studying, as you may be able to get Pensioner Education Supplement or Education Entry Payment;
you currently get the higher rate of Mobility Allowance, as this cannot be paid to Age Pensioners;
you are single and sharing privately rented accommodation, you may be eligible for a higher maximum rate of Rent Assistance than if you receive Age Pension and share accommodation;
you have a partner who currently receives Wife Pension, she will lose access to Pensioner Education Supplement if you transfer to Age Pension;
you are caring for someone other than your partner, who is not receiving Social Security payments and that person dies, as you may be entitled to a bereavement payment;
you receive Carer Payment as, in addition to the Pension Supplement, you will also receive a Carer Supplement.
If you’re not sure whether to transfer to Age Pension from your current payment, speak to a Centrelink officer about it. Once you transfer, you generally can’t change back.
• What if I get a Service Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs?
You can’t receive both Age Pension from Centrelink and a Service Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the same time. There are significant advantages in claiming a Service Pension rather than Age Pension. See the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at: www.dva.gov.au.
• What if I can get a pension from another country?
If you may be entitled to a pension from a foreign country, Centrelink will require you to make a claim. Centrelink is not automatically informed about any pension money you receive from a foreign country, and it is very important to tell Centrelink about all money you receive. If you don’t, you could get a debt, or even be prosecuted.
• How do my assets and income effect my Age Pension payments?
The rate of your Age Pension payments is calculated under both an income and an asset test. The test that results in the lower rate is the test that applies. If your income or assets exceed the limits set by Centrelink you will not receive Age Pension. You can check with Centrelink about the current tests, which are different depending on whether you are single or a member of a couple, and whether you own your own home or not. See Centrelink’s “A Guide to Australian Government Payments” booklet, which is available online at www.centrelink.gov.au or ask for a copy from your local Centrelink office.
• What if I want to sell or give away my home or use the capital in my home?
Centrelink does not treat your home as an asset if it is your ‘principal place of residence’. However if you sell your home to buy a new home, transfer the title in your home to a family member, or borrow money against your home and give the money away to family members, this can have negative consequences on your Age Pension payments. You may be prevented from receiving any payments.
Before you undertake any restructure of your financial resources you should get advice about the potential impact on your Age Pension. Contact Centrelink’s Financial Information Service on 13 23 00 for advice.
If you have already transferred or given away assets without realising the implication for your pension, you may need help in applying to have the value of an asset exempted under the hardship rules. If a debt is raised, you may need help applying to have the debt waived because of your special circumstances. In these situations, contact a Welfare Rights Centre/Advocate for advice.
• What about concession cards and other benefits?
You will automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card and the Pension Supplement if you qualify for Age Pension. If you rent privately and receive Age Pension you may be entitled to Rent Assistance.
People of age pension age who do not qualify for Age Pension based on their assets or income levels, and who do not receive a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension, should apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card which has no assets test, but is income tested. Holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card automatically qualify for the Seniors Supplement.
• Appeal rights
If you think a Centrelink decision is wrong you have the right to appeal against it. Appealing is easy and free. To appeal simply tell Centrelink that you are not happy with its decision and that you would like to appeal to an Authorised Review Officer (ARO). It is best to lodge an appeal in writing and you should keep a copy of your appeal letter. However, you can lodge an appeal over the telephone.
The ARO is a senior officer in Centrelink who has the power to change the original decision. Many people are successful at this level.
You can appeal to an ARO at any time. However, to receive back pay from the date you were affected by the original decision, you must appeal to an ARO within 13 weeks of receiving written notice of the original decision. If you appeal more than 13 weeks after receiving the notice and you are successful, you will only receive back pay from the date you appealed.
If you think the ARO decision is wrong you can appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT). The SSAT is independent of Centrelink.
You have further appeal rights to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court. Time limits apply.
For more information on appealing see the factsheet “Appeals – how to appeal against a Centrelink decision” and the guide “Appealing to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal".
• Interpreters
If you think you need an interpreter, or if you feel more confident with an interpreter, you should use one of the three free available interpreter services.
Most Centrelink offices have interpreters available at regular times each week. Your local Centrelink office can tell you about their available languages and times.
You can telephone the Centrelink Multilingual Call Centre on 131 202 and speak to a bilingual Centrelink officer.
You can also call the free Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter.
Please note: This factsheet contains general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal advice please contact your local Welfare Rights Centre/Advocate.
Welfare Rights Centres are community legal centres, which specialise in Social Security law, administration and policy. They are entirely independent of Centrelink. All assistance is free.
This factsheet was updated in December 2010. www.welfarerights.org.au