Other financial assistance and services for Older Australians 065-12000000
Expand allThis document outlines other financial assistance and services for older Australians.
Government intent
The Australian Government is committed to providing services to help older Australians maintain their quality of life. As people age, it is important they remain healthy and independent for as long as possible. Services Australia aims to meet the needs of customers seeking help in retirement by ensuring the customer receives the right payment from the earliest possible date of eligibility.
A range of organisations provide support services and useful information:
- the MoneySmart website has information to help people make the most of their money
- the myagedcare website provides information on a wide range of community, aged care and support services
- the Hearing Australia website is dedicated to helping hearing impaired people have a better quality of life
Other payments and supplementary benefits
Customers not eligible for Age Pension due to residence or age requirements may be eligible for other income support payments. Advise customers of the payments they may qualify for and then help them select the most appropriate for their needs.
Quarterly Supplement
Quarterly supplement will be paid on or soon after the test days 20 March, 20 June, 20 September, 20 December to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders who have given payment destination details and not asked to suppress the quarterly supplement.
If the customer ceases being a CSHC holder before the next payment date, any accrued quarterly supplement will pay on cancellation.
Utilities Allowance (UA)
Utilities Allowance (UA) payments started from March 2005. They are paid to certain customers to help meet the cost of regular bills such as gas, electricity and water.
My Aged Care General Service Offer
As a result of the aged care reform package announced in the 2021-2022 budget, a My Aged Care General Service Offer (MACGSO) is being made available in all Services Australia service centres and aged care contact centres). See My Aged Care General Service Offer (MACGSO) for more information.
Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSO)
ACSOs provide free, independent and confidential end-to-end access and navigation services for aged care including:
- the My Aged Care General Service Officer (GSO)
- access and navigation of My Aged Care services
- in-depth information on the different types of aged care services
- Help at Home (Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Home Care Packages)
- Short term care (Respite and transition care)
- Aged Care homes (permanent residential aged care)
FIS
The Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free education and expert information service provided by the government.
FIS helps people to make informed decisions about investment and financial issues by helping them understand their own financial affairs and the options available to them.
One-off payments
The 2006, 2007 and 2008 Budgets included a one-off bonus payment for Senior Australians who are Centrelink customers and who met the qualifications on Budget night of that year.
The Resources page contains links to MoneySmart, myagedcare and the Hearing Australia websites.
Contents
Other payments and supplementary benefits that may be claimed by Older Australians
Financial Information Service (FIS)
Related links
Helping customers to build their financial capability
My Aged Care General Service Offer (MACGSO)
Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSOs)