Centrelink / Veteran Payments / Pension Payments

An overview of how to access different payments and which forms to use.

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Understanding pension payments

The Age Pension is a government support payment eligible Australians can access once they reach the pension age and if their income and/or assets are under the applicable limits. This support payment is part of a network of different income support payments for Australians working fewer hours or not working at all, including the Disability Support Pension and carer payments.

The Age Pension can support you to be able to afford everyday living expenses such as food, medical services, housing costs and participating in your community.

With this assistance, you may find it easier to maintain your financial independence and to live at home for longer instead of moving into a nursing home.

In addition to the Age Pension, which is paid through Centrelink, you may be able to receive financial support from the government through other Services Australia payments.

Other examples include rent assistance, a mobility allowance if you can’t use public transport, a Remote Area Allowance to help with the cost of living away from services and the Pensioner Concession Card for cheaper healthcare, medication and other discounts.

More information about how pension rates are calculated can be found in this Aged Care Guide: What you need to know about the pension.

Super funds and accessing your super can affect your Age Pension because it is considered an income stream.

To get personalised and tailored advice for your financial situation, the Aged Care Guide recommends speaking to a financial adviser. In these discussions, you can learn how to access certain pensions and what the financial impact may be on accessing aged care services.

Call the Aged Care Guide support line on 1300 186 688 to be referred to a financial planner for specialist advice.

Read more about the Age Pension in these Aged Care Guides:

Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services

If you’re a veteran, war widow or widower, you may be able to access additional financial support and look for aged care services through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Several different payments are available, ranging from income support and housing assistance to support with accessing health services.

To be eligible for DVA financial support, you must meet certain eligibility criteria including having served in the Australian Defence Force, been a war veteran from certain countries allied with Australia or participated in the Disaster Relief Service or Border Protection Service.

Specific criteria are available on the DVA website, but there are no age requirements for DVA support or payments.

Find out more about the benefits of veteran-specific care in this Aged Care Guide: How can veterans care support me?

For some aged care services, the DVA will cover the entire cost. Alternatively, the DVA will contribute towards the cost of your care, with the rest covered by another government department or you, such as for residential aged care.

A financial adviser will be able to assist in working through the different options available to you and how you can make the most of these supports.

Call the Aged Care Guide support line on 1300 186 688 to be referred to a financial planner for specialist advice.

Read more information about aged care support for veterans in these Aged Care Guides:

Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services

Centrelink

Income support from Centrelink can help you to pay for the costs of living such as food, electricity, rent, and engaging in the community if you don’t have enough income to be able to afford them.

Payments from Centrelink can also help with more specific costs for older Australians, like the cost of continence aids, the costs of caring for another person, concessions for health services and medication as well as loans to supplement your retirement income.

Once you find out what Centrelink support you are eligible for, it’s likely you will be in contact with the organisation regularly — you’ll need to report any changes in your circumstances so you aren’t paid more than what you are entitled.

Centrelink also has a mobile phone app linked to your online account, which you sign into via myGov.

The online account, whether you use it through the internet on a computer or through your mobile phone application, can be used to change your contact details — this needs to be done as soon as they change, e.g. if you move to a new address.

You can also view, print and save documents you may need from your online account – such as forms for deduction statements, statements of debt and replacement concession cards if required.

Read more about Centrelink income support in these Aged Care Guides: