Extra help for retired Australians

Thousands of self funded retirees will start receiving special payments from today, to compensate them for extra expenses that will come with the carbon tax.

The Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, said 281,000 would benefit.

“ Self-funded retirees who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and receive the Seniors Supplement will receive a payment of $250 for singles or $190 for each member of an eligible couple, “ Ms Macklin said.

“ These payments will be paid directly into the bank accounts of self-funded retirees,” Ms Macklin added.

“In addition, they will also receive their quarterly Seniors Supplement from today, to help with paying regular bills such as power, rates, phone and car registration,” Ms Macklin said.

“And from June next year the Gillard Government will provide ongoing household assistance to help self-funded retirees make ends meet – an extra $338 for singles and  $510 extra for couples combined,” she added.

“We are delivering extra payments to eligible self-funded retirees to help them make ends meet.

“ This is the same assistance as pensioners have received in the last few weeks,” she said.