Changes to welfare entitlements for travellers

Travelling overseas? Read on for changes that may affect your entitlements.

Amongst a host of changes to different entitlements, from 1 January 2015 there were two changes to note that may affect your holiday plans if you are a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holder or receive a Disability Support Pension.

1. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders

The good news for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, from 1 January 2015, you can extend your holiday stay without impacting your entitlement to this card. You can now travel outside of Australia for up to 19 weeks (previously 6 weeks) without the fear of cancellation and the need to re-apply for the card.

Importantly, this extra flexibility should also assist in maintaining the grandfathered status of any superannuation pension that you currently hold.

2. Disability Support Pensioners

The news is not so good for Disability Support Pensioners travelling abroad. You now have a maximum of four weeks (previously 6 weeks) for which you can continue to be paid whilst overseas in any 52 week period.

If your stay overseas is longer than four weeks, your payment will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply for the card. This will include the assessment of your medical condition(s) and work capacity.

For full details, please see the Department of Human Services website.

And remember, if you plan to travel you need to inform Centrelink of the dates of your travel. This is even in the case when the length of the stay shouldn’t impact upon your entitlements.

Information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Before making any decision based on this information, you should assess your own circumstances or seek advice from a financial adviser. Wally David is an Authorised Representative (318432) of Wealth Managers Pty Ltd, AFSL No. 232701. 

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