In a special interview with SBS Punjabi, Jyoti Aujla from the Smart Centre Operations Division of Department of Human Services gives important information about eligibility criteria for people who can claim a fortnightly pension.
'Although the assessment is individualised, it is important that people who are permanent residents of Australia and are born on 1 July 1953 or after, apply to DHS to receive their aged pension 13 weeks before they turn 66."
"As of 1 July 2019, the pensionable age is 66 both for men and women - if they are already getting a Centrelink benefit, they will receive a letter from DHS three months before they turn 66. But they are not receiving any benefit, it is their responsibility to contact DHS 13 weeks (or three months) before their 66th birthday."
Ms Aujla says, "The benefit amount can vary according to individual circumstances, but as an indication, singles can receive $926.20 or in the case of couples, each recipient can get $698.10 per fortnight. This also includes the pension supplement and energy supplement."
By way of a tip, Ms Aujla points to a common mistake migrant parents can make while applying to DHS for an aged pension.
"You must be in Australia when you apply for the benefit – you can't just make the application and head off to India, or elsewhere overseas. The DHS database is linked with that of Home Affairs, and if the immigration records show that you're not in the country, your application won't be processed."
Speaking about residency requirements for eligibility, Ms Aujla said, "People who have come to Australia on a sponsored parent visa program must have resided in the country for 10 years - including a continuous stay for five years - in Australia."
"You only need to be a resident to be eligible, citizenship is not a necessary requirement. But please note, the aged pension is not available to parents coming to Australia on a visitor visa."
Ms Aujla adds, "To find out more, people can ring 13 23 00 which is the Older Australian hotline at DHS, or if they need a Punjabi interpreter, call 13 12 02 for the multilingual services and ask for a person who can speak to you in Punjabi."
Please listen to the audio link above for more information.
