Payment rates

This payment rate is effective from 20 March 2012.

The rate of Seniors Supplement is:

• single customers - $842.40 per annum
• partnered customers - $643.40 per annum
• illness separated, respite care or partner in prison - $842.40 per annum.

Seniors Supplement will be paid each quarter, shortly after 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 20 December.

Seniors Supplement is not taxable and is not income or assets tested. It is payable while you are entitled to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Determining the supplement rate

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.

The following examples illustrate 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 has been paid full quarterly payments of Seniors Supplement since then.

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

Natalie was granted a CSHC on 20 July 2011 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 2011 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 2011 and was eligible for Seniors Supplement from the same date and retained eligibility for the remainder of the quarter. Braydon had accrued 62 days of Seniors Supplement for the September quarterly payment. Braydon’s eligibility is cancelled 20 November 2011, prior to the December 2011 quarterly payment. Braydon has accrued 61 days of Seniors Supplement for the period from September 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 2011 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.

Payment adjustments

Seniors Supplement is adjusted in March and September each year in line with upward movements in the Consumer Price Index—that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.

More information

• A guide to Australian Government payments booklet
• Seniors Supplement section

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