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Assessing Age Pension (Blind) claims 065-04020000

This page contains information to help with assessing an Age Pension (Blind) new claim for customers who are not receiving an income support payment.

Assessing an Age Pension (Blind) claim

For Age Pension claim processing staff only

Step	Action
1	Claim lodged Is the customer already in receipt of another income support payment? Yes, see Transferring to Age Pension (Blind). Procedure ends here No, go to Step 2
2	Reports required Does the customer have a report from either: An Ophthalmologist An Optometrist who refers to an Ophthalmologist in their report An Association for the Blind report which refers to an Ophthalmologist in the report? Yes, go to Step 3 No, issue the Request for Ophthalmologist or Optometrist Report (SA013) form. On return of the form, go to Step 3
3	Permanent blindness criteria satisfied Staff must review the SA013/medical evidence to determine if the customer meets the criteria for permanent blindness, see Assessing permanent blindness. Does the customer meet the criteria for permanent blindness? Yes, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 4
4	Permanent blindness criteria not satisfied Make 2 attempts to contact, at different times on the same day. Where applicable, send a pre-call SMS. See Calling a customer or returning a customer's call Tell the customer that Services Australia have assessed the SA013/medical evidence about their visual impairment, and they do not meet permanent blindness eligibility criteria for DSP. about possible alternative entitlements by offering the customer the option to apply the Income and Assets Tests for Age Pension Update the Progress of Claim DOC detailing the outcome of the discussion with the customer and the reason for the decision. Does the customer want to apply under the Income and Asset tests for Age Pension? Yes, go to Step 7 No, reject the claim Not Permanently Blind (NPB), see Rejecting a claim for Age Pension.
5	Application of Income and Assets Tests Customers receiving Age Pension (Blind) are paid free of the income and assets tests unless: they want to claim Rent Assistance (RA), or their partner wants to claim, or is receiving an income tested payment in their own right (and is not blind) Do the Income and Assets tests need to be applied? Yes, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 7
6	Income and assets tests For information on applying the Income Test and Assets Test for blind customers see, Income and assets tests for blind customers. Has the customer provided all the required information for application of the Income and Assets tests for Age Pension (Blind)? Yes, go to Step 7 No, a request for the information will be required, go to Step 7
7	Required documentation Has the customer supplied all the relevant information for assessment of their claim? Yes, see Processing claims for Age Pension and Pension Bonus No, make a request for the information and allow extra time for surface mail delivery. See Requesting information (CLK) for more information. Procedure ends here until customer responds or the allowed time has lapsed