Fuel card changes good news for more country pensioners, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 11-May-2010
Blackwood-Stirling MLA Terry Redman says he is delighted that the very successful Country Age Pension Fuel Card scheme will now be expanded to include country pensioners in four additional income support categories.
Mr Redman said, “From July 1, country pensioners on Widow B, Disability Support, Carer Payment and Wife pensions will also be eligible to apply for the $500 fuel card.
“Having taken calls from constituents on disability pensions and carer payments telling me how much it would mean to them to have access to this assistance, I am delighted that we can now provide that support.”
Since the Country Age Pension Fuel Card, a WA Nationals election commitment, was introduced by the Liberal National State Government in April 2009, more than 28,000 country age pensioners have experienced its benefits.
“We introduced this scheme to assist age pensioners in country areas with their travel costs as these can be quite onerous for people having to drive considerable distances for medical appointments or to shop,” Mr Redman said.
“People have told me that the $500 card has enabled them to travel to visit family
or to attend appointments when they not have been able to otherwise due to lack of funds, and it’s pleasing to see this scheme make that difference.”
Country pensioners who don’t drive can still use a card at their discretion to pay for fuel for their transport or to pay for taxi fares. The scheme allows for the fact that some pensioners rely on others for transport and enables them to contribute to those costs.
People who are newly eligible can apply for the card at Australia Post from 1 July 2010 up to 30 April 2011. Pensioners with an existing card will automatically receive their new card by 20 July, provided their details are unchanged.
“The fuel card is a very practical way of assisting country pensioners with their transport costs and its excellent news that another 15,000 country people will be able to benefit from the card following these changes,” Mr Redman said.
