Pension increase & carer supplement
Last modified on 14 Aug 2009 07:31pm
An increase in pensions, including Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment, is the social policy centrepiece of the Federal Government’s 2009 Budget.
From 20 September 2009, single pensioners on the full rate will receive an additional $32.49 a week and couples will receive an additional $10.14.
The rate at which the pension is withdrawn for each dollar of additional private income will increase from 40 cents to 50 cents. To counteract the disincentive this would pose to pensioners seeking employment, half of the first $500 of fortnightly employment income will be excluded from the income test.
Currently only one in 10 DSP recipients gains any income from paid employment.
The Government will also introduce a new Carer Supplement. It will provide:
- $600 pa to all Carer Allowance recipients for each person being cared for and
- $600 pa to all Carer Payment recipients
People who receive both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance will be eligible for both payments. The supplement will be paid annually and will be non-taxable.
The first payment will be made by 30 June 2009 with subsequent payments starting from 1 July 2010.
Source: National Disability Services (www.nds.org.au/national)
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