Age Pension (Blind) transfer provisions 065-04010000

These steps are specific to Age Pension (Blind).

If a customer contacts to transfer to Age Pension (Blind) and they are in receipt of:

• Disability Support Pension (Blind), go to Step 2
• Age Pension or any other Income Support payment, go to Step 3

Note: for transfers from other payments the customer must be within 13 weeks or already of Age Pension age.

The Blind status has already been updated in the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen in the customer's record. No additional information is needed to assess eligibility as a Blind customer.

Follow the procedures outlined in Transfer to Age Pension to transfer the customer to Age Pension. The Blind status will automatically transfer the customer to Age Pension (Blind).

Procedure ends here.

The customer may have a report from:

• An ophthalmologist
• An optometrist who refers to an ophthalmologist in their report
• Any other source that gives the details requested in the Request for Ophthalmologist or Optometrist Report (SA013)

Does the customer have a report listed above?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, issue the Request for Ophthalmologist/Optometrist Report (SA013). Procedure ends here

SA013s are automatically allocated to skilled Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Age Processing Smart Centre staff.

If the customer enquires about the progress of an SA013:

• Advise the customer the form will be assessed by a skilled officer and they will be advised of the outcome in writing. Procedure ends here.
• If customer requests urgent processing of the SA013, see Immediate new claim and non-new claim priority processing

For Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Age Processing staff, go to Step 5

Does the customer meet the criteria for permanent blindness and qualify for Age Pension (Blind)?

• Yes, permanent blindness is coded on the Pensions Disability Information (PDI) screen. Go to Step 6
• No, go to Step 7

Go to the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen to update the Blind status.

Code the following details:

Pension Disability Information

• Event date: this should be the date the customer requested the transfer to Blind or the date of eligibility whichever is the later
• Blind Ind: Y for yes

Blind - Income and Assets Exempt

See Income and assets tests for blind customers to determine if the income test and assets test are applied to the customer.

• 'Y'es, for income and assets not declared. The pension will be limited to the basic rate plus supplement
• 'N'o, for income and assets declared. Income and assets must be declared if customer wishes be paid rent assistance, or if their partner, who is not blind, is on a payment. These customers receive income and asset reviews just like any other pensioner

Severely Disabled Code: Yes

• For change of circumstances, add Source and DOR (date of receipt) information. If the customer is currently receiving Age Pension, use the date the customer contacted about Age Pension (Blind) as long as verification of blindness was provided within a reasonable time

Finalise activity and record details on a DOC.

Note: the finalisation screen may not show that the transfer to Age Pension (Blind) has occurred, however when the activity is finalised, the Benefit Status Line will show AGB/CUR.

If the customer does not qualify for Age Pension (Blind):

• Make 2 attempts to contact the customer, at different times on the same day where possible before finalising the rejection. Where applicable, send a pre-call SMS prior to making contact
• Tell the customer of their review and appeal rights
• Issue a Q134 letter to advise the full reasons for the rejection of the Age Pension (Blind) assessment. Include the appeal option in the letter as an unfavourable decision has been made. See Requesting information (CLK)
• Record full details on a DOC

Current Age Pension customers will remain on Age Pension. Consider options for customers on other income support payments.