Seniors Supplement - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Seniors Supplement and what is it worth?

Seniors Supplement was introduced in September 2009 and replaced Seniors Concession Allowance and Telephone Allowance at the higher Internet rate for all eligible Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders. Seniors Supplement is the same rate as the minimum rate of Pension Supplement for pensioners and is indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) after 20 March and 20 September each year.

Current rates can be found at payment rates.The rates are also published in the Seniors payment rates factsheet and the Guide to Australian Government Payments.

Note: Seniors Supplement is a daily-based payment.

To determine the rate of payment, the annual Seniors Supplement amount is divided by 364. This amount is then multiplied by the number days in each quarter, which may vary slightly depending on the number of days in each quarter.

Payments are made shortly after the end of each quarter:

• Quarter 1–20 June to 19 September = 92 days
• Quarter 2–20 September to 19 December = 91 days
• Quarter 3–20 December to 19 March = 90 days (Leap year 91 days)
• Quarter 4–20 March to 19 June = 92 days.

Note: if your entitlement begins or ends within a quarter you will only be paid for the days you were entitled.

What shows the amount of days Seniors Supplement is accrued?

The following examples demonstrate the amount of days Seniors Supplement is accrued.

Example 1 - Customer with ongoing eligibility to Seniors Supplement

Jemma has been a CSHC holder for the last 2 years. Prior to 20 December 2009 Jemma received both Seniors Concession Allowance (SCA) and Telephone Allowance (TAL). The 1st quarterly payment of Seniors Supplement was paid 20 December 2009. Jemma accrued and was paid a full quarter of 91 days of Seniors Supplement for the December 2009 quarterly payment. Jemma was also paid for a full quarter for the March quarterly payment, which was made up of 90 days.

Example 2 - Customer granted eligibility to Seniors Supplement part way though payment quarter

Natalie was granted a CSHC on 20 July 2010 and was eligible for Seniors Supplement from the same date and retained eligibility for the remainder of the quarter. Natalie accrued 62 days of Seniors Supplement for the September quarterly payment. If Natalie continues to retain eligibility she will be paid a full quarter of Seniors Supplement in the December 2010 quarterly payment, which is made up of 91 days.

Example 3 - Customer is granted eligibility to Seniors Supplement and then Seniors Supplement ends with in another quarter

Braydon was granted a CSHC on 20 July 2010 and was eligible for Seniors Supplement from the same date and retained eligibility for the remainder of the quarter. Braydon has accrued 62 days of Seniors Supplement for the September quarterly payment. Braydon’s eligibility is cancelled 20 November 2010, prior to the December 2010 quarterly payment. Braydon has accrued 61 days of Seniors Supplement and will be paid shortly after the cancellation date.

Example 4 - Customer is granted eligibility to Seniors Supplement and then Seniors Supplement ends with in the same quarter

Ian was granted a CSHC 20 July 2010 and was eligible for Seniors Supplement from the same date. Ian’s eligibility is cancelled 20 August, prior to the September quarterly payment. Ian has accrued 31 days of Seniors Supplement and will be paid shortly after the cancellation date.

When will I get the Seniors Supplement?

The Seniors Supplement was introduced on 20 September 2009 and the first quarterly payment was made in December 2009.

The Seniors Supplement will be paid quarterly in March, June, September and December. If a customer’s CSHC is cancelled or the customer elects not to be paid Seniors Supplement part way through the quarter, they will be paid their accrued amount shortly after.

Eligible seniors will still continue to be eligible for other concessions linked to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. These concessions include a reduction in prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, a discounted Medicare safety net threshold and concessional travel on the Great Southern Rail.

Who will get the Seniors Supplement?

The Seniors Supplement will be available to around 300,000 self-funded retirees who are eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and people who have the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold card and currently receive Seniors Concession Allowance.

Do I have to apply for the Seniors Supplement?

No, if you are already a cardholder, and have previously provided your banking details for Seniors Concession Allowance or Telephone Allowance, it will be paid automatically. Customers that have not provided banking details will need to contact Centrelink if they would like to receive the payment.

Telephone Allowance and the Seniors Supplement?

The rate of Seniors Supplement will reflect the higher (internet) rate of Telephone Allowance. It will no longer be necessary to prove that you have an internet connection, or even a phone connection.

Telephone Allowance recipients paid at the lower/standard rate, and self-funded retirees not currently receiving Telephone Allowance, will receive the equivalent of the internet rate in their Seniors Supplement.

Will there be flexible frequency of payment?

No, it will continue to be paid on a quarterly basis.

Who can I talk to about these changes?

If you want to talk to someone about how these changes may affect you, call the Centrelink Seniors line on 13 2300.

More information

• View the Seniors Supplement factsheet