Hi all you very happy GNs - was just wondering as we intend to be on the road fulltime after retiring August 2010, I believe to qualify for a health care card for medications one has to be at least getting $1.00 from centerlink payments at least.
Does anyone know of this situation, we will be supporting ourselves for 18months or so financially as we do not qualify for the pension until then. As my husband takes a fair amount of medications it would help greatly to have that card.

Everything legal and above board of course, not trying to break any laws just trying to get some of my tax moneys back from years of paying it!
Cheers Dawn

I am far from an expert on this but if you are self funded and below a certain income threshold then you automatically are elegible for a health care card, just take a look at the centrelink website

The majic words are your income as these are means tested. If you are not ex service persons then regrettably you will have to deal with Centre link.....

As Dave says check out the website or visit a Centrelink office. You may have to have at least an "income" from Centrelink to get the card though but the rules for self funders are different to the unemployed.

I know several retirees on reasonable salaries via super who still qualify for a healthcare card.
Of course if you want to cheat then get divorced (and live together) that opens up a whole raft of Centrelink benifits, just be prepared to have to queue with societies less socioecconomic types though...

-- Edited by Basil Faulty on Sunday 2nd of August 2009 09:59:14 AM

Depending on your husband's age, if he has several chronic health issues he may qualify for the Disability Pension. The maximum assets/income is a little different than the "old age" benefits and criteria. He will then receive a Pension Card, or at the very least he may qualify for the Health Care Card. The Centrelink site, as Basil recommended, has a lot of this info on it without having to en pass the doors of your nearest Centrelink office. It's a traumatic experience. Cheers Chris

Thanks for your words of advice folks will look further into it as time draws closer. It all helps every little penny. Most of you could relate to a penny- not some I chat to around home- grandkidz just look quizzically?
Cheers all Dawn

Oh I remember pennies.... Take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves & in for a penny, in for a pound.....

oh yeah!!! now the penny has dropped!!

Spend a penny............remember the public toilets with the penny coin latches?.Great reading sometimes.just joking.Cheers.Ibbo.RE Centerlink offices,if you make an appointment to see one of their "consultants"usually get quicker service.I have found them to be very helpful if you are pleasant and polite with them.The reason for this is because they are in shock,not fronted by a smokers  breath,alchol,wacky weed,is a rare occasion for them.(No offence meant or intended).CheersIbbo.

Hi all- thanks for the advice and some rather whimisical remarks. That is what I love about the GNs on this Forum, never a dull moment, if they haven't got an answer they will cheer you on with a carryon.
Sure is different to a Forum we have been a member of for some years as Members- "Ulysses Motorcycle Club"
 Yes we are motorbike fans, Hubby still has his, I just sold mine, getting a bit stiff in the joints to be riding. Also I only got my licence at 60- not bad for an old chick who had never been on a bike before eh?
Anyway I digress- on that Forum a lot of bitchin, grudging goin on. Sure lookin forward to the lighter side of things and nicer peoples- Bring it on 2010.
Cheers all Dawn

hi dawn.         i dont know where you live here in brisbane,   but the centrelink experts are having a day at the logan hyperdome library.   i have learnt a hell of a lot, off these sessions.   just pen up all your questions,and the lady will go,one  on one with you,with the answers. ( i have tried to post a attachement,)  and you have to ring to book.  ( they tell me they have to know the numbers,so they dont overbuy on the tea bags )

Kenmarg-Thanks for that bit of info, I will contact them and see if I can take some time off work- Yuk! yes still presently working fulltime. 364 days to go and counting down. I live southside so will have no problem getting to Shailer Park. We hope to be fulltime travelling after August 2010 so making plenty of investigating and plans all this year. Have to sell a couple of houses and get a daughter setup by herself B4 we get on the road. You know all the usual things!Cheers and thanks again, Dawn

ibbo wrote:

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Spend a penny............remember the public toilets with the penny coin latches?.

---

Yes I remember them too but how things have changed, we have just returned home after travelling around Australia and while public toilets were free in most places in Alice Springs they charge  FIFTY cents to 'spend a penny'! being frugal farts we thought nah we'll go to the shopping centre, it's free there.....WRONG, they also charge 50 cents !! looks like the 'good 'ole days' of spending a penny is spend 50 cents, doesn't quite have the same ring about it !

 

hang on as long as you can and then take a book with you, gotta get your money's worth...........

You can get a low income health care card before retirement age and without receiving any other benefit from Centrelink.
It is only subject to your deemed income (not your actual income).
Dawn, I would strongly advise that you make an appointment to see a Centrelink financial adviser NOW.
There is significant benefit in knowing what is available and when, before you retire.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Saturday 29th of August 2009 08:21:38 PM