Transferring to Age Pension (Blind) 065-04010000

These steps are specific to Age Pension (Blind).

Is the customer in receipt of Age Pension?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, go to Step 2

Customers claiming Age Pension (Blind) must be able to satisfy all criteria for Age Pension as well as be permanently blind.

To be qualified for Age Pension a customer must:

• have reached Age Pension age, and
• satisfy the residence requirements for Age Pension

Is the customer qualified for Age Pension?

• Yes, go to Assessing permanent blindness. Procedure ends here.
• No, complete the WLM Technical Assistance - Form - New Item - for allocation of the ZIAM_DSP_OPREPORT work item to a Disability Processing Service Officer. Procedure ends here.

The customer may have a report from an:

• ophthalmologist
• optometrist who refers to an ophthalmologist in their report, or
• An Association for the Blind report refers to an Ophthalmologist report

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 Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Age Pension (AGE) Processing Smart Centre staff.

If the customer enquires about the progress of an SA013 and the Service Officer is not DSP or AGE skilled or not currently scheduled for processing:

• 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 Age Processing staff allocated an SA013 for an AGE CUR customer, go to Step 5

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

• 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
• A Q999 letter must be issued advising the customer they do not meet the criteria for blind pension and they will continue to receive AGE. Include the Appeal paragraph in the letter.
• Record full details on a DOC. See Resources for suggested DOC text

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