Concessions. Overview This Factsheet provides information about concessions available within South Australia.

Transcription

1 s DVA Factsheet CON04 s in South Australia Overview This Factsheet provides information about concessions available within South Australia. The South Australian concessions are primarily state concessions or concessions offered within the metropolitan area of Adelaide. Many local councils also offer concessions to residents, sometimes in addition to state concessions. Check with your local council to find out more about other concessions in your area. Who determines what the concessions are? The relevant Australian Government and State authorities and businesses determine what concessions to offer, and who is eligible for those concessions. DVA does not determine what concessions are available from the concession providers. The type of concession and eligibility requirements are determined by the relevant Australian Government and State authorities and businesses that provide those concessions. Who is eligible for a concession? Where possible, this Factsheet will list the eligibility requirements for each particular concession. The requirements will normally relate to whether you are eligible for certain types of DVA cards or whether you receive a certain type of DVA pension. Proving your Eligibility In many cases you will be able to prove your eligibility by presenting a DVA card such as the Pensioner Card (PCC) or the DVA Gold Card. In situations where this does not apply the concession providers will tell you what confirmation they require. Changes to concessions The information given in this Factsheet is based on information provided to us and to the best of our knowledge is correct. s may change at any time and the details should always be confirmed with the provider. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 1 of 15

2 s in South Australia, continued Health concessions Treatment Cards If you have a DVA treatment card (Gold or White Card) you should always use this card for medical, hospital, pharmaceutical and allied health services. Pharmaceutical benefits Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. PCC holders are eligible for pharmaceuticals under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at $5.60 per prescription. Your pharmacist can tell you which pharmaceuticals are listed under the scheme. Premiums charged by manufacturers may apply to some alternative brands/medicines. Once you have spent the PBS Safety Net threshold amount on PBS medicines, you will receive free PBS medicines for the rest of the year. Department of Health and Ageing: National Diabetes Services Scheme Australian residents who have been diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor or Credentialed Diabetes Educator (CDE), and hold a current Australian Medicare card or DVA file number. A range of Australian Government approved products are available at subsidised prices for persons who are registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. National Diabetes Services Scheme: Hearing services Pensioner Card (PCC) holders DVA Gold Card holders DVA White Card holders where the card is issued specifically for hearing reasons. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 2 of 15

3 s in South Australia, continued Hearing services, continued Hearing assessments and hearing rehabilitation are available through the Office of Hearing Services. Hearing assessments and hearing rehabilitation, including provision and fitting of some hearing aids, are available free of charge. Office of Hearing Services: or TTY Spectacles Pensioner Card (PCC) holders who are South Australian residents. As a pensioner, you may be able to obtain a discount when you are purchasing spectacles (for you and your dependents) through the SA Spectacle Scheme. This entitles to you a discount, once every two years, on the price of: A pair of reading glasses and a pair of distance vision glasses; or A pair of bifocal glasses; For some prescribed eye conditions, you may be able to obtain a discount when purchasing contact lenses. If your optometrist has certified that your vision has changed significantly, you may be eligible for additional lenses within a two year period. Families SA: (08) Ambulance Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. PCC holders are entitled to reduced ambulance cover membership fees within SA. Nonmembers of the ambulance cover scheme may receive a 50% reduction in their account when the ambulance transport is medically justified. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 3 of 15

4 s in South Australia, continued Ambulance, continued SA Ambulance Service: Transport s Incapacitated Ex-Service Personnel Travel Card What is the Incapacitated Ex-Service Personnel Travel Card? The Incapacitated Ex-Service Personnel Travel Card is a travel concession card provided by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Public Transport Division, to certain DVA clients living in South Australia. The Card entitles the holder to free bus, tram and train travel within Adelaide. Who is eligible for the card The following DVA clients are eligible for the card: holders of a Gold Card embossed with TPI; those receiving disability pension at one of the following rates: - 100%; - Intermediate Rate; - Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA); and those who have been assessed under the MRCA at 60 or more impairment points. How do I get the card? Step 1 Obtain an authorisation letter from the front counter at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 199 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. Step 2 Take the letter to the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Public Transport Division (corner King William St and Currie St), where the travel concession card will be issued. Note: The letter from DVA is only necessary once. You will automatically be issued with an updated card each year. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 4 of 15

5 s in South Australia, continued Other public transport concessions Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. DVA Gold Card holders You may be eligible for cheaper travel on public transport, of around 50% of the normal fare, when using metropolitan public transport or recognised regional city transport services. TRANSADELAIDE: (08) Infocentre: (08) Infoline: (08) South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS) The SATSS is a State Government subsidised taxi travel program It is for South Australian residents with permanent and severe disabilities who are enrolled as members of the scheme and who, because of their disabilities, cannot safely use public transport, either independently or accompanied by a companion/carer. The SATSS provides members with 80 personalised vouchers for subsidised taxi travel every 6 months. The vouchers can be used in any state or territory in Australia. The subsidy applies to the first $40 of a taxi fare. The member must cover the full amount of any fare over the $40 maximum fare limit. Membership is divided into 2 categories; Ambulant members (those able to walk and not confined to a wheelchair) who receive 50% subsidy and pay 50% of the fare themselves; and Members confined to a wheelchair, who receive 75% subsidy and pay 25% of the fare themselves. Taxi Council South Australia: (08) CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 5 of 15

6 s in South Australia, continued Free rail Pensioner Card (PCC) holders who are South Australian residents. PCC holders are issued with two single economy rail vouchers per year. You will receive these with your PCC each year. The vouchers entitle the named holder to a ticket for travel within SA on the lines between Broken Hill, Port Augusta and Wolseley. It is valid only during the year of issue. Present your vouchers at Keswick Rail Terminal. Rail Australia: Great Southern Railway (GSR) Services Fare Pensioner Card (PCC) holders Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders. Fare PCC & CSHC Holders PCC & CSHC holders are eligible for a discount of up to 55% from Great Southern Railway (GSR) for the following rail journeys: The Ghan The Indian Pacific The Overland. Special Veteran Travel Veterans receiving disability pension at the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (T&PI) rate Veterans receiving disability pension at the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) rate Veterans receiving disability pension at the Intermediate rate Veterans receiving disability pension at the Blind rate Service Pensioners on the Blind rate Disability Pensioners receiving the Specific Disability amount Items 1-14 listed under Section 27 of the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986, i.e. suffering loss of limb Widows of WWI Australian veterans (do not have to be in receipt of DVA pension). Special Veterans Travel This concession provides either: free rail travel in a Gold Service Sleeper Cabin (formerly known as First Class) over the Commonwealth owned track only. The free component includes a sleeping berth only and does not include any Gold Service meal charges or Fuel Price Surcharges; or free rail travel in a Red Service Sleeper Cabin (formerly known as Holiday Class) which includes a sleeping berth (if applicable) over the Commonwealth owned track only. Meals can be purchased in Red Service. Fuel Price Surcharges also apply. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 6 of 15

7 s in South Australia, continued Great Southern Railway (GSR) Services, continued Special Veterans Travel, continued The following sections of GSR journeys are covered by the concession: the Indian Pacific between Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie the Overland between Wolseley and Adelaide the Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin. Carers for Special veterans are also entitled to a concession. A medical certificate must be obtained stating the veteran/widow/widowers and carer s names and that the veteran/widow/widowers requires care for the journey. The carer does not have to be in receipt of a carer s pension or be related to the person travelling. Refer to Factsheet IS152 Great Southern Railway Travel for more information. Great Southern Rail: Household s Australia Post Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. Australia Post will re-direct mail at a discounted rate after PCC holders change their address. Australia Post will deliver some items that aid the visually impaired free of charge or at concessional rates for PCC holders. Australia Post: CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 7 of 15

8 s in South Australia, continued Telstra Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. Telstra offer a number of concessions to PCC holders, including: a discount on new telephone service connection fee a reduction in your home line plan costs. For more information you can request a brochure from Telstra called Pensioner Benefits which details the concessions that they provide. Telstra: Low Cost Internet Connection DVA entitlement card holders Age pensioners Disability support pensioners. Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) Australia with internet provider ISPOne have negotiated a partnership to provide aged pensioners, veterans and people with disabilities throughout Australia with access to a low cost Internet service. This enables people who hold a DVA Entitlement Card, or receive Age Pension or Disability Support Pension to go online at a reduced cost Please refer to the TAD Australia website for information on costs. TADAust Connect: Website tadaustconnect.org.au/ Electricity & Gas Pensioner Card (PCC) holders Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders holders of a gold card embossed with TPI, EDA or WW. MRCA clients seeking one of these concessions are advised to obtain a letter from DVA confirming their eligibility before seeking the concession. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 8 of 15

9 s in South Australia, continued Electricity & Gas, continued continued In addition to holding one of the cards listed above, you must also meet the following criteria: the address for which you are claiming the concession is your principal place of residence; and your name appears on the electricity account for that address; and you do not share your home with someone who has an income of more than $3,000 per year (unless that person is a spouse/domestic partner or dependant, or receives a Centrelink payment or payment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs). You may also be eligible if your home does not have an electricity meter, for example, if you live in a retirement village or caravan park, or you generate your own electricity. As a holder of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you may be entitled to an energy concession to help with your energy costs for electricity and gas (including LPG bottled gas). The concession is gradually increasing please refer to the website listed below for information on the amount of concession currently provided. s Hotline: TTY: (08) concessions@dfc.sa.gov.au Water and sewerage You are a Pensioner Card (PCC) holder and: you own, part-own or rent the property in which you live and it is your principal place of residence; and you are responsible for paying the account for all of your water use. You are the holder of a gold card embossed with TPI, EDA or WW and additionally you: rent your accommodation or own and occupy your home as your principal place of residence (if you own the property jointly, with a person other than your spouse or domestic partner, you may be entitled to a proportionate amount); and are responsible for paying all of your water rates (for water use). If you are a pensioner and you do not own the property in which you live, but you are responsible for paying rates and land tax on that property, you should seek advice from SA Water on MRCA clients seeking one of these concessions are advised to obtain a letter from DVA confirming their eligibility before seeking the concession. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 9 of 15

10 s in South Australia, continued Water and sewerage, continued A concession is given to eligible people depending on whether they rent or own the home they live in. The concession is gradually increasing please refer to the website listed below for information on the amount of concession currently provided. You may also be exempt from paying the Save the River Murray Levy. SA Water: Rates Pensioner Card (PCC) holders holders of a gold card embossed with TPI, EDA or WW. MRCA clients seeking a rates concession are advised to obtain a letter from DVA confirming their eligibility before seeking the concession. Eligible Card holders may be eligible if: they own or part-own the property in which they live; and they are responsible for paying rates and tax on the property. If you are a pensioner and you do not own the property in which you live, but you are responsible for paying rates and land tax on that property, you should seek advice from the s Hotline on You may be eligible for a concession of up to $190 per year on your council rates for your home if it is your principal place of residence. If you live an area serviced with septic tanks, you may be eligible for a concession of up to $290 per year on your council rates. s Hotline: TTY: (08) concessions@dfc.sa.gov.au CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 10 of 15

11 s in South Australia, continued Emergency Services Levy Pensioner Card (PCC) holders Holders of a gold card embossed with TPI, EDA or WW Recipients of a War Widows pension paid by the United Kingdom or New Zealand government. MRCA clients seeking one of these concessions are advised to obtain a letter from DVA confirming their eligibility before seeking the concession. You may be eligible for a concession on the Emergency Services Levy levied against a property for which you are a registered owner if it is your principal place of residence at the 1st July of the financial year for which the levy applies. You may be eligible for a concession of up to $42 on the Emergency Services Levy levied against a property owned by you. s Hotline: TTY: (08) concessions@dfc.sa.gov.au Vehicle s Drivers Licences & Registration Pensioner Card (PCC) holders holders of a gold card who are former members of the Australian Defence Force. Incapacitated Ex-Service Persons You may be entitled to a concession if, as a result of your service in the military, you are totally and permanently incapacitated, blind, have lost a leg or foot or are a gold card holder. A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs showing your eligibility must be presented with your application. If your card is embossed with T&PI or EDA you may be exempt from producing the letter. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 11 of 15

12 s in South Australia, continued Drivers Licences & Registration, continued PCC holders s for PCC holders are: 50% reduction in the registration fee exemption from the payment of stamp duty on Compulsory Third Party (Bodily Injury) Insurance (This is not a reduction in the insurance premium) 50% reduction in the Drivers Licence fee. You may only receive concession on the registration of 1 motor vehicle (or motor cycle) and 1 trailer (or caravan) that you own and use. Incapacitated ex-service persons concession, TPI & EDA Veterans s for Incapacitated Ex-Service Persons are: 66.6% reduction in registration fees exemption from the payment of stamp duty on Compulsory Third Party (Bodily Injury) Insurance. (This is not a reduction in the insurance premium) exemption from the payment of stamp duty on the value of the vehicle 50% reduction in the Drivers Licence fee. You can obtain a concession on the registration of 1 motor vehicle or motor cycle that you own and use. Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure: Driver & Vehicle Licensing Directorate: Country Calls Motor Vehicle GST exemption Veterans receiving disability pension at the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (T&PI) rate and other veterans as specified in Factsheet DP79 Supply of Cars and Car Parts GST Free. Eligible veterans are entitled to GST exemption on the purchase of new cars (once every 2 years or 40,000 km). GST exemption is also available on spare parts necessary for the running of a motor car. Refer to Factsheet DP79 Supply of Cars and Car Parts GST Free. For more information Application forms are available from DVA, but contact your local Australian Taxation Office for details of exempt items. Australian Taxation Office: CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 12 of 15

13 s in South Australia, continued Other s Dog registration Pensioner Card (PCC) holders DVA Gold Card holders. Some councils provide a concession on dog registration for PCC holders. For more information contact your local council. Cat de-sexing Pensioner Card (PCC) holders. C.A.T.S. (Cats Assistance To Sterilise Inc.) will provide a concession on the cost of desexing of cats to PCC holders. Cats Assistance To Sterilise Inc (C.A.T.S): (08) More Information about s State Seniors Card Different concessions may be available for holders of Seniors Cards. All State Governments issue their own Seniors Card. Eligibility for this card is determined by each state and is usually based on age and/or the number of hours worked per week. In most states you must be over 60 years. s vary between states but may include discounts on travel, licences or household expenses, as well as on goods and services. In 2009 the National Transport Scheme was introduced, allowing holders of Seniors Cards to access public transport concessions throughout Australia. Previously holders of Seniors Cards could only access public transport concessions in the state in which the card was issued. State Government issued Seniors Cards are also often accepted at local businesses and may be accepted where a PCC or Gold Card is not. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 13 of 15

14 s in South Australia, continued State Seniors Card, continued For more information on the SA Seniors Card SA Government s More information is available from the South Australian Department of Families and Communities. For more information s Hotline: TTY: (08) concessions@dfc.sa.gov.au When to contact DVA Contact DVA: to report a lost card to notify us of a change of address for information about eligibility for Australian Government concessions for information about the issue of a PCC. Contact the authority or business administering the concession for: information about the eligibility for a concession details about the rate of concessions. Other Factsheets Other Factsheets relating to this topic include: IS125 Pensioner Card IS152 Great Southern Railway Travel IS160 Overview of Cards Available to Veterans and Their Dependants DP79 Supply of Cars and Car Parts GST Free. More information All DVA Factsheets are available from DVA offices, and on the DVA website at You can phone DVA for the cost of a local call on or for country callers. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 14 of 15

15 s in South Australia, continued More information, continued Use a normal landline phone if you can. Mobile phone calls may cost you more. You can send an to DVA at: GeneralEnquiries@dva.gov.au. You can get more help from any DVA office. CON04 - Last updated: 10 Feb 12 Page 15 of 15