Income Support Increased To Help Veterans Make Ends Meet
Media Statement - 14th February 2008
The Rudd Government has introduced legislation to boost allowances paid to veterans on low incomes, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today.
Legislation introduced today delivers an election commitment to increase the utilities allowance and the seniors concession allowance to $500 a year and the telephone allowance from $88 to $132 a year for those with a home internet connection.
"The Rudd Government is committed to providing increased and more frequent financial support for members of the veteran community and this legislation delivers a key election promise," Mr Griffin said.
"Subject to passage of the legislation, the first payment of the increased utilities and seniors concession allowances will be made on pension pay day 27 March 2008."
Mr Griffin said that rather than the current twice-yearly payments, the increased allowances would be paid quarterly to help people better manage their commitments.
"Most energy, rates, water and sewerage accounts are sent out on a quarterly basis. A quarterly payment of utilities allowance and seniors concession allowance will make it easier for people to make ends meet,"
Mr Griffin said.
Mr Griffin said the increase to telephone allowance for those with an internet connection would help make it more affordable for people to access information and stay in touch with friends, family and the ex-service community around the country and around the world.
Utilities allowance is paid to eligible DVA income support recipients to assist with the payment of energy, rates, water and sewerage expenses.
Utilities allowance will increase from $107.20 per year to $500 per year for eligible single pensioners. For each member of a pensioner couple, it will increase from $53.60 per year to $250 per year.
Seniors concession allowance is paid to eligible Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders and eligible Gold Card holders who are over veteran pension age and not eligible for utilities allowance.
All income support pensioners will be eligible for utilities allowance regardless of age and the rates of utilities allowance and seniors concession allowance will be reviewed twice yearly and may be adjusted in March and September each year in line with movements in the cost of living.