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Tip Store: Finances: Centrelink
Australian/New Zealand Pensions
New Zealanders can claim the Age Pension here, but not until 65 (but would be 67 in 5 years' time). They can also get New Zealand superannuation, depending on their working life in both countries. Other benefits would depend on whether they have a permanent residency visa (citizenship is not required). For New Zealand superannuation, I think if one married person qualifies for super, then the younger person will also get it. Everything is means tested, so an application at the time will have to be made to determine levels, but a face to face discussion at Centrelink could help determine likely future possibilities (but things could change in the time up to 65/7). There are different conditions available to New Zealanders who were here before 2001. My sister and husband who live in NZ, are better off in their retirement (social security pensions) there than they would be here, according to them. They do not have any related pension from work.
Contributed by Susan Czermak
Contributed by Susan Czermak
Reciprocal Agreements for NZ/Australian Age Pensions
Contact Centrelink - they will give you the details of their 'international' department (actually in Tassie I think). It may even be online by now as I did this for my mother seven years ago. They are amazing - they actually answer the phone and will let you know that the NZ/Australian governments have a reciprocal agreement whereby you will get the bulk of your pension from New Zealand (if you are eligible) and if there is a difference between that and the Australian pension, the Australian pension (or part ) may also be paid. The New Zealand pension is not means/income tested so your friends should be able to get it without a problem.
Contributed by Kaye Silich
Contributed by Kaye Silich
Check with Centrelink to Get All Benefits
I would be making an appointment with Centrelink to ensure that everything possible is available to you. For example, there are discounts for pensioners on all utility bills, and a system called Centrepay to have payments taken out of your pension fortnightly for these bills. This makes it easier to budget for those bills. As well, did you get the funeral assistance that pensioners can get from Centrelink - a one-off payment?
Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds, 12th January 2018
Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds, 12th January 2018
Seek Advice from Centrelink Financial Advisor
Your first point of help will be Centrelink. Ask for the Financial Advisor to assist you. There are many options available to help you there. They can assist you To ensure you are getting all your entitlements. As for your meal plan maybe you could use five or six basic simple recipes such as soup, spaghetti, eggs etc and simply rotate them so that you don’t have to think too much and are able to recover from the initial shock of your husbands death.
Contributed by Marilyn Devlin, 12th January 2018
Contributed by Marilyn Devlin, 12th January 2018
Funeral Benefit Available from Centrelink
Just checking whether Pauline claimed the Centrelink benefit towards funeral costs - I think it is around $800. This should help with expenses.
Contributed by Anna Dcruz, 11th January 2018
Contributed by Anna Dcruz, 11th January 2018
Insist on Payslip Reporting
Approximate $ Savings: In my case $1300 per annum
The Federal Government changed pension reporting a few years back so that you don't present yours or your spouses payslip, but report on a fixed day according to hours worked. I was not happy as my husband's employer pays penalties one to three weeks late and knew this would be a problem. Sure enough he was paid three weeks of penalties he was owed at the beginning of the financial year. Centrelink checked with his employer only to find he received more than what I reported according to hours worked. I argued with them, and asked "If at the end of the year I can prove that through reporting this way I have been under paid will I be reimbursed like you expect me to do?" and the answer was no. At the end of the year sure enough it worked out that by reporting on hours worked I was under paid by $1,300. I rang Centrelink of course and eventually was reimbursed the $169 debt they made me pay back at the beginning of the year, but could not get anymore. After much arguing and several phone calls I was given permission to report from his pay slip. Now I am never overpaid or under paid. No debts to Centrelink. No missing out on vital income.
Contributed by Raelene, 1st July 2010
The Federal Government changed pension reporting a few years back so that you don't present yours or your spouses payslip, but report on a fixed day according to hours worked. I was not happy as my husband's employer pays penalties one to three weeks late and knew this would be a problem. Sure enough he was paid three weeks of penalties he was owed at the beginning of the financial year. Centrelink checked with his employer only to find he received more than what I reported according to hours worked. I argued with them, and asked "If at the end of the year I can prove that through reporting this way I have been under paid will I be reimbursed like you expect me to do?" and the answer was no. At the end of the year sure enough it worked out that by reporting on hours worked I was under paid by $1,300. I rang Centrelink of course and eventually was reimbursed the $169 debt they made me pay back at the beginning of the year, but could not get anymore. After much arguing and several phone calls I was given permission to report from his pay slip. Now I am never overpaid or under paid. No debts to Centrelink. No missing out on vital income.
Contributed by Raelene, 1st July 2010
Avoid Centrelink Debt, Know the Payroll Formula Used to Calculate Wages
Approximate $ Savings: In my case $180 a fortnight
Always know the math formula used by whoever is paying you to work out your pay rate so you can question them if it is wrong. My husband is a shift worker and I was given the formula from payroll and work his pay out the moment I get his roster, so if the big company he works for makes a mistake we can inform them. I am on Carer's payment due to caring for three mentally ill relatives so I work out how my husband's pay will affect my payment each fortnight. Last year there was a glitch in the system and I was overpaid $200. This caused the system to put me on a different formula, which meant I then lost $180 a fortnight. It took many phone calls (not being listened to and being treated like a idiot) from me and eventually a phone call to my local member who had it fixed with one call. I was back paid and put back on the correct formula.
Contributed by Raelene, 1st July 2010
Always know the math formula used by whoever is paying you to work out your pay rate so you can question them if it is wrong. My husband is a shift worker and I was given the formula from payroll and work his pay out the moment I get his roster, so if the big company he works for makes a mistake we can inform them. I am on Carer's payment due to caring for three mentally ill relatives so I work out how my husband's pay will affect my payment each fortnight. Last year there was a glitch in the system and I was overpaid $200. This caused the system to put me on a different formula, which meant I then lost $180 a fortnight. It took many phone calls (not being listened to and being treated like a idiot) from me and eventually a phone call to my local member who had it fixed with one call. I was back paid and put back on the correct formula.
Contributed by Raelene, 1st July 2010
Healthcare Card for Students
Approximate $ Savings: $800 p.a.
My 18 year old student applied for a "low income" Health Care card based on his earnings. Once your child reaches 18, the parent's income is not relevant. The Health Care Card now entitles him to concession fares, doctors visits, prescriptions and vehicle registration. These are things that are not discounted with a Student Card. I buy his concession fares in bulk at a cost of $4.96 per day, saving $5.64 per day on the full daily cost. Over four days per week, forty weeks per year that he attends college, I save $451.20 per annum. This, combined with his medical expenses, averages over $800 per year in savings. Well worth the Centrelink paperwork!
Contributed by Christine Grigg, 18th June 2010
My 18 year old student applied for a "low income" Health Care card based on his earnings. Once your child reaches 18, the parent's income is not relevant. The Health Care Card now entitles him to concession fares, doctors visits, prescriptions and vehicle registration. These are things that are not discounted with a Student Card. I buy his concession fares in bulk at a cost of $4.96 per day, saving $5.64 per day on the full daily cost. Over four days per week, forty weeks per year that he attends college, I save $451.20 per annum. This, combined with his medical expenses, averages over $800 per year in savings. Well worth the Centrelink paperwork!
Contributed by Christine Grigg, 18th June 2010
Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
When you have to travel over 100 kilometres one way (in WA, other states have other requirements) to the nearest doctor, hospital etc, you can get about 60% of travel costs back through P.A.T.S. - Patient Assisted Travel Scheme. You request the form through your doctor. They have to put the request in, then you keep receipts for petrol, sometimes pats can organise accommodation too, but it has to be organised through your doctor before travel. Also did you know that if you have an extended stay in hospital and they charge you for it, you can go to Centrelink and get rental assistance, as when your bill is made up for the month they include rental assistance payments in the bill, but no one tells you? They presume that you would know to go and get rental assistance. Ask the questions like I did, I am sure there are loads of assistance packages out there that we don't know about.
Contributed by Cara, Busselton, 17th April 2009
Editors Note: This scheme exists for all states but conditions vary from state to state. For more information on the scheme for your state visit the relevant website or ask your doctor or medical practitioner.
ACT: http://www.health.act.gov.au/
New South Wales: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
Northern Territory: http://www.nt.gov.au/
Queensland: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/
South Australia: http://www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/
Victoria: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/
Western Australia: http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/
Contributed by Cara, Busselton, 17th April 2009
Editors Note: This scheme exists for all states but conditions vary from state to state. For more information on the scheme for your state visit the relevant website or ask your doctor or medical practitioner.
ACT: http://www.health.act.gov.au/
New South Wales: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
Northern Territory: http://www.nt.gov.au/
Queensland: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/
South Australia: http://www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/
Victoria: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/
Western Australia: http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/
Check with Centrelink for Benefits When You Become the Primary Carer
I had a lactose intolerant child (she "grew out" of it as a teen) and used soy milk and soy cheese. I started this when she was a baby, so a fussy older child may take some convincing, but there are ways..like telling her how special soy is and letting her pick flavourings to go with it. Soy milk is more expensive than ordinary milk, but much less than lactose free milks! Also, if you are the primary carer for this child, and she lives permanently with you, you may be able to claim the family allowance for her..someone must be getting it, so check! As for family members who don't believe in living the Cheapskates way...just ignore their wasteful habits and explain you have to save, and this is your way and your choice. It would seem you now shop for yourselves, so keep your supplies in a separate area, or box in the fridge if communal, and cook for just yourselves.
Contributed by Judith Bancks,1st April 2010
Contributed by Judith Bancks,1st April 2010
Family Tax Benefit Equals Savings
Approximate $ Savings : $10,000
If you receive any Family Tax benefit part A or B from Centrelink, don't take any/part of your payments fortnightly, wait and take your payment after the end of the financial year. Depending on your income, you could get back $1000 - $6000 or so, at the very least you will not owe them anything from being overpaid. Also, keep your savings with a bank account that takes you 24 hours to transfer the funds to spend and has a high interest rate (ING Direct). This means we can't spend hundreds/thousands on impulse buying. By doing these two things I saved $14,000+ to renovate and buy a second car without borrowing.
Contributed by Cassy, Cheltenham, 28th September 2007
If you receive any Family Tax benefit part A or B from Centrelink, don't take any/part of your payments fortnightly, wait and take your payment after the end of the financial year. Depending on your income, you could get back $1000 - $6000 or so, at the very least you will not owe them anything from being overpaid. Also, keep your savings with a bank account that takes you 24 hours to transfer the funds to spend and has a high interest rate (ING Direct). This means we can't spend hundreds/thousands on impulse buying. By doing these two things I saved $14,000+ to renovate and buy a second car without borrowing.
Contributed by Cassy, Cheltenham, 28th September 2007
Cash Advance Clears Debt, Saves Interest
I receive family payments for my children and each year you can request to have an advance payment on your money(around $500), this is then paid back over about 6 months with fortnightly payments to Centrelink. I request this payment and pay off any bill I can that has an interest rate, by doing this I have saved hundreds of dollars on interest rates over the last couple of years!
Contributed by Kay, Christies Beach, 16th August 2008
Contributed by Kay, Christies Beach, 16th August 2008
Manning Support Services
Area: Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester local government areas but exist in other areas also
Manning No Interest Loan Scheme is a service that provides no interest and no fee loans to people on Centrelink payments and/or low enough incomes to be eligible for a health care card (this includes for example single parents, aged pensioners, disability support, carers, apprentices), for new essential household items and medical equipment. Manning NILS provides loans for items from between $100 & $1000.The maximum repayment term is 18 months.
Contributed by Amy, Cundletown, 13th August 2009
Contributed by Amy, Cundletown, 13th August 2009