Reinstated Pensioner Concession Cards will hit mailboxes this month

More than 90,000 former part-pensioners will find their Pensioner Concession Cards in their mailboxes over the next few weeks.

The Department of Human Services said yesterday that the cards, stripped from the people who lost their part pensions when the asset test was overhauled in January, had been reinstated.

But the government then said that the 90,000 who lost their part-pensions would get their concession cards back.

The loss of the cars meant many older Australians missed out on discounted council rates, rail travel, and a range of other state and local government benefits.

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said that former part-pensioners didn’t have to do anything to receive the new card – it will be sent automatically.

“Part-pensioners will also retain the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which continued to be provided after the January 2017 pension changes,” Tudge said. “This means they will continue to be paid the energy supplement to help with energy costs.”

More information on the reinstatement of the cards is available from the department here.

Did you lose your concession card? Has the lack of it made a difference to your budget?