Identifying a package of services for vision impaired customers 106-01030010

• To qualify for an Age Pension (Blind) or Disability Support Pension (DSP) (Blind), the customer must be permanently blind
• For more information, see Age Pension (Blind) overview or Transferring to Disability Support Pension (DSP) (Blind)
• The Request for Ophthalmologist/Optometrist report (SA013) or other suitable medical evidence is required to assess permanent blindness
• A person who is permanently blind is medically qualified for DSP (Blind) or Age Pension (Blind) and does not need an additional assessment of their impairment and work capacity. They still need to meet all other eligibility criteria including residence and age, except that the basic rate of DSP (Blind) or Age Pension (blind) is not subject to an income or assets test unless they are claiming Rent Assistance

• Customers who are permanently blind and getting the Age Pension (Blind) or DSP (Blind) are not subject to the income and assets tests unless they are claiming Rent Assistance (RA). If claiming this payment, DSP (Blind) and Age Pension (Blind) customers will need to advise of income and assets
• If not claiming FTB, RA is assessed under the pensions income and assets tests. See Income and asset tests for blind customers
• FTB, and any RA that is paid with FTB, are assessed under the income test for family assistance payments. DSP (Blind) and Age Pension (Blind) are exempt from the Maintenance Income Test
• If the customer's partner is not blind and applies for or receives Centrelink payments, then income and assets for both the customer and partner must be disclosed to determine the partner's entitlement. Only the blind customer's payment is exempt from reduction due to the income or assets test. The partner's payment will be assessed using their combined income and assets
• If the DSP (Blind) customer has variable income that they are required to declare, they and their partner are profiled as 2 weekly reporters. However, the customer must be manually placed onto 2 weekly reporting on the Reporting Regime Details (RPRD) screen. See Reporting screens
• The DSP (Blind) customer does not have to report their income themselves. Their partner can do this through the different reporting channels. (If the partner is on an activity-tested payment then this would be done through reporting online or by phone)
• Compensation and direct deduction foreign pensions affect DSP (Blind) and Age (Blind) as they do for other DSP and Age customers
• If the partner is not blind and receives Centrelink payments, or if the customer receives RA, the customer may be selected for an Income and Assets (Mail) Service Update for Age Pension or a Disability Support Pension (DSP) Service Update (Income and Assets or Non Declaration of Earnings)
• DSP (Blind) customers who are under Age Pension age can accrue and deplete working credits if their income details are provided for the purpose of paying RA or to establish their partner's entitlement
• For customers who have not declared their income and assets, the Means not Disclosed Ind: field should be keyed with a 'Y' on the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen to avoid customer being selected for Pension Entitlement Review

All Pensioner Concession Cards (PCCs) issued to blind customers, including replacement, new grant and annual renewal cards will have a tactile indicator. This is a small hole drilled in the lower left hand corner of the card.

• The word 'blind' is printed on the payment type line after the payment type code (for example 'AGE BLIND', 'DSP BLIND')
• If both partners are blind, their annual renewal cards will be mailed separately according to their annual renewal selection date
• If the customer's partner is a non-pensioner, the partner qualifies as a dependent on the PCC for medical purposes only

• Customers can contact Vision Australia to register for their services, such as audio files, Braille and electronic text. See Vision Australia
• NDIS can provide support related to vision loss to help customers achieve their individual needs and goals. The Resources page contains a link to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website
• Support can be available through My Aged Care, through funded services. The Resources page contains a link to My Aged Care

For more information, see the Resources page for links to the Services Australia website.

Customers in receipt of Age (Blind) Pension or DSP (Blind) may be eligible for a Medicare levy exemption or reduction.

A Medicare levy exemption or reduction letter will automatically be sent to identified customers informing them that they may be eligible for a Medicare levy exemption or reduction and the period(s) for which they may be eligible.

Customers who use assistive technology can request an accessible/electronic copy of the review form when selected for a Mobility Allowance (MOB) Employment and Training review. When initially selected for the review, the customer will receive a paper review form. This form has information advising them to contact Services Australia's Disability, sickness and carers line if they would like access to an accessible/electronic version of the form. The Resources page has contact details.

Customers are to be directed to Services Australia's website in the first instance where the accessible /electronic version is available. Once completed, the customer must print the form and return by the due date. See the Resources page for web link to the form.

Customers unable to access website

If the customer is unable to access the electronic version, the Service Officer is to send an email to the Electronic Document Classification (EDC) Team requesting a fillable Mobility Allowance review form be sent to the customer.

See Mobility Allowance (MOB) Employment/Training Reviews for further information.

Consider the following when communicating verbally with a person who is blind or who has low vision:

• Do not give visual hand signs in place of words
• Verbalise the thoughts and feelings usually sent through non-verbal mannerisms and cues
• Many people with blindness or low vision sign their name. However, they may need help locating the appropriate place on the form to sign
• Write appointment times, phone numbers in large print
• Using 'seeing' words, for example 'You see, it's like this...' is acceptable

For more information on how to communicate with customers who are blind or who have low vision, see Providing services to customers with disabilities.

Age Pension (Blind) and DSP (Blind) customers can choose to receive their Centrelink letters in an alternative format.

Customers must agree to have their postal address recorded as the Accessible Letters Manager’s postal address.

Tell the customer about the alternative letter format options:

• Large Font. The letter will be converted to Arial size 18pt
• Braille. Vision Australia Foundation will convert a copy of the letter to Braille
• Telephone. They will be contacted by phone during business hours
• Compact Disc (CD), The letter will be converted to rich text format

For more information, see Accessible letters for customers with vision loss.