If you are ineligible for the Age Pension due to your wealth but still have an annual income below $50,000 pa for singles or $80,000 pa for a couple, you might be eligible to receive the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).  And the benefits are nothing to shirk at.

As a holder of the card, you can access a whole host of things you might never have known about, the first of which is cheap medicine.  And it is worthwhile noting up front that there is no assets test to qualify.

The main attraction of CSHC is that eligible pharmaceuticals under the PBS are available at just $6.00 per script.

In addition to this, you can receive a Seniors Supplement from the Government of up to $858 pa (singles) and $647.40 (for each member of a couple). You may also be able to take advantage of bulk billed GP appointments and a range of other benefits at concessional rates.  So if you think you might qualify, it is definitely worth a look.

More money in your pocket
As detailed above, CSHC holders are entitled to receive the Seniors Supplement and the Clean Energy Supplement, both annual payments made to cardholders. The maximum seniors supplement is currently $858 pa for single people and $647.40 pa for each member of a couple, paid quarterly. The clean energy supplement is currently $356.20 pa for a single person or $267.80 pa for each member of a couple.

Services and Benefits of the CSHC
The services specifically available through the CSHC may include:

• Bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the GP.
• A reduction in the cost of out-of-hospital medical expenses in excess of a concessional threshold, through the Medicare Safety Net.
• In some instances, additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions which may be offered by State or Territory and local governments and private providers. These concessions are offered at the discretion of the private providers, and their availability may vary from state to state.

Could you be eligible?
So, could you be eligible? In order to receive the CSHC, certain criteria must be met:

Residence
You must be an Australian resident, or a holder of a special category visa, and be living in Australia at the time of lodging the claim.

Age
You must have reached Age Pension age or qualifying age for DVA recipients.

Payments
You must not be receiving:

• A social security pension or benefit (eg age pension), or
• A DVA service pension or income support supplement.

Income test
You must have an adjusted taxable income of less than:

• $50,000 for a single person
• $80,000 for a couple

Assets test
There are no asset limitations or requirements.

I think I’m eligible, what do I do now?

If you believe you are eligible for the CSHC then contact your Prosperity Financial Adviser who can help with any questions you have. Alternatively you can contact the Department of Human Services on 13 23 00 or visit their  website on:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/commonwealth-seniors-health-card