Eligible residents are able to apply for a Pensioner Concession Rates Rebate
PRIVACY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION ACT 1988
Compliance with section 10
The information contained in the application form and any information requested for the purpose of assessing eligibility for a pensioner concession is required under the Local Government (Rates and Charges) Regulation 1999. This information is required before your application for a pensioner concession can be processed. The information is private and confidential and council must not disclose the information to any person or body if it is not directly related to the purpose for which the information was collected.
If you have any complaints about the use of your personal information, contact the council’s Public officer. The information contained or referred to in this application form may be corrected and updated by you, by contacting the council.
PURPOSE OF THIS FORM
This form is to be completed by ratepayers wishing to receive a concession on council rates. Eligible ratepayers are entitled to receive up to:
- $250.00 on ordinary rates and charges for domestic waste management services
- $87.50 off their annual water rates and charges
- $87.50 off their annual sewerage rates and charges
Generally, the concessions are available to eligible pensioners, however concessions may be granted to ratepayers suffering financial hardship in certain circumstances.
The information provided by completing this form will enable council to determine eligibility to receive a concession and the level of concession the ratepayer is entitled to.
APPLYING FOR A PENSIONER CONCESSION
All applications must be made using the approved form.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
INTRODUCTION
Under State legislation some pensioners are eligible for mandatory concessions. The amounts of the concession available on an annual basis are:
- Up to $250 on all ordinary rates and charges for domestic waste management services.
- Up to $87.50 on water rates or charges
- Up to $87.50 on sewage rates or charges
If you receive a pension or benefit you may be eligible for a mandatory concession even though someone else may jointly own and/or occupy the property with you.
If you need information about making an application please ask council staff.
CONDITIONS
1. You must be an eligible pensioner. The legislation explains eligible pensioners as:
• People who receive a pension, benefit or allowance under chapter 2 of the Social Security Act 1991 of the Commonwealth and hold a pensioner concession card issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth Government;
• People who receive a service pension under part III of the veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 of the Commonwealth and hold a pensioner concession card issued on or on behalf of the Commonwealth Government;
• People who receive a pension from the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs as:
- The widow or the widower of a member of the Australian Defence or Peacekeeping Forces, or
- The unmarried or widowed mother of a deceased unmarried member of either of those forces.
People in both of the above categories are eligible only if they would also be eligible for a pensioner concession card from Centrelink.
• People who receive a general rate of pension adjusted for extreme disablement under section 22(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 of the Commonwealth, or a special rate of pension under section 24 of that Act.
2. You must occupy the dwelling for which a concession is sought as your sole or principal place of living.
3. The amount of concession will be determined on the basis that:
• You own the property (or are liable for the rates) on your own; or
• You own the property (or are liable for the rates) with one or more eligible occupiers (an eligible occupier can be your spouse, another eligible pensioner and his or her spouse if they use the property as their sole or principle home);or, • You own the property (or are eligible for the rates) with someone who is not an eligible occupier; or,
• A company owns the property (it is a company title’ property) and because you have shares in the company you are liable to pay rates or charges either
• On your own; or
• With one or more eligible occupiers; or
• With someone who is not an eligible occupier.
If you own the property with someone else or own shares in a company which owns the property you will have to give some evidence of this to the council. Council’s rates section staff can suggest how you can do this (The Secretary of your company may have already supplied this information to the council as required under a separate part of the legislation).
4. People who become, or cease to be, eligible pensioners during the year will receive a concession proportionate to the number of full quarters in which they are an eligible pensioner.
NOTE If you are not an eligible pensioner you may still be eligible for special hardship rate relief.