Following the news that pensioners will get two, $250 payments between December and March, National Seniors Australia (NSA) is reminding pensioners they could be eligible for the health card (CSHC).

"In the past six months almost 20,000 people have applied and got the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card," NSA chief advocate Ian Henschke told Savings.com.au.

"[There have been] unprecedented applications because they not only get the card which helps health costs but are eligible for the stimulus payments."

As it stands, all CSHC holders get access to the two $250 payments. 

Want to earn a fixed interest rate on your cash? The table below features term deposits with some of the highest interest rates on the market for a six-month term. 

Provider

At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]5000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Easy online application
  • Interest can be paid to other institutions
  • Maturity alert by email and phone

Term Deposit - 6 months

  • Easy online application
  • Interest can be paid to other institutions
  • Maturity alert by email and phone
At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]10008$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

Online Term Deposit - 12 months

    Annually, At Maturity, Monthly$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

    Term Deposit ($10000+) - 12 months

      Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]100031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

      Term Deposit - 12 months

        Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]5000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

        Term Deposit (Platinum Plus Club Members) - 12 months

          At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]50031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

          Term Deposit ($500 - $1mn) - 12 months

            Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

            Term Deposit ($1000-$499999) - 12 months

              At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]50001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

              Term Deposit ($5k-$25k) - 12 months

                At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]10007$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                Term Savings ($1000-$500000) - 12 months

                  Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                  Term Deposit - 12 months

                    Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]10000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                    Term Deposit ($10k-$500k) - 6 months

                      At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]100000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                      Term Investment ($100k-$200k) - 6 months

                        At Maturity, Monthly$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]2500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                        Term Deposit - 12 months ($5000-$25000)

                          Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]10000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                          Term Deposit ($10k-$500k) - 12 months

                            At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]100031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                            Term Deposit ($1000+) - 9 month

                              At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                              Term Deposit - 12 months

                                At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                                Term Deposit ($1000+) - 12 months

                                  Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

                                  All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of December 10, 2023. View disclaimer.

                                  What is the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?

                                  The CSHC as it's known for short is a concession card for older citizens and residents to gain access to cheaper healthcare and some other discounts. Benefits include:

                                  • Discounted medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
                                  • Bulk billing at medical centres
                                  • Larger refunds on medical costs
                                  • Discounts on electricity and gas plans
                                  • Discounts on property and water rates
                                  • Lower public transport fares

                                  As you'll see, it goes beyond just healthcare. To apply, you must do so through your online MyGov account.

                                  Who is eligible?

                                  The card isn't just a free-for-all - there are some eligibility criteria that must be met.

                                  The first is being of pension age, which differs on when you were born. The pension age is 66 years if you were born between 1 January 1954, and 30 June 1955.

                                  It's 66 and 6 months if you were born prior to 31 December 1956, while it's 67 for those born after this date. Other than that, the other criteria is:

                                  • Meet residence rules
                                  • Not be getting a payment from us or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
                                  • Give the Government your Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so
                                  • Meet identity requirements
                                  • Meet the income test.

                                  What's the income criteria?

                                  While an assets test does not apply, if you are single your 'adjusted taxable income' must be below $55,808 per annum. If you're a couple it must be below $89,290 per annum.

                                  Superannuation tests

                                  The good news is that superannuation assets are not taxable and are not counted against your health card eligibility, however the standard Centrelink/Services Australia deeming rates apply.

                                  The first tier deeming rate is 0.25% on assets up to $53,000, while the second tier is 2.25% on amounts over this.

                                  Couples can earn up to $88,000 combined before the second tier kicks in.

                                  In the words of Mr Henschke, "You can perceivably have a substantial superannuation balance and still be eligible". 

                                  Note these deeming rates could change at any time, given the Reserve Bank cut its cash rate to a historic low of 0.10%.





                                  Ready, Set, Buy!


                                  Learn everything you need to know about buying property – from choosing the right property and home loan, to the purchasing process, tips to save money and more!

                                  With bonus Q&A sheet and Crossword!

                                  By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy