Almost 600 former pensioners in the Electorate of Parkes who lost their Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) on 1 January 2017 due to the rebalance of the assets test by electorate will have their card reinstated today [9 October 2017].
These former part-pensioners lost the card in January as a consequence of reforms to the pension assets test, which were designed to make the pension system more affordable and sustainable for the future.
“Those reforms provided increased pension for people with lower levels of assets, while some part-pensioners with high levels of assets lost access to their part-pensions,” the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said.
“As a consequence, those with higher levels of assets also lost their PCC and could no longer access a range of state/territory and local government and private sector benefits, such as discounted council rates and public transport.  The benefits vary from state to state.
“In reinstating the PCC, the Nationals-Liberal Government is ensuring that these 90,000 former part-pensioners, including 591 in the Electorate of Parkes will be able to access those benefits again in the future.”
The PCC will be automatically reinstated from this week beginning 9 October and it’s expected that all those eligible will have their card within the next fortnight.
“Those expecting a reissued card don’t need to do anything to receive it, it will be sent to them automatically,” Mr Coulton said.  
“They will also retain the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which continued to be provided after the January 2017 pension changes.  This means they will continue to be paid the energy supplement that they formerly received with their pension.”
For more information about reinstatement of the pensioner concession card, go to www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/news/pensioner-concession-card-reinstatement 
For more information on assets levels go to www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/assets