Health Care Card discounts

[C~Q]

hmmm makes me think.. I have one... Shame its not a "concession card" when using public transport

I'm pretty sure mine is, it said something about it when I got my letter but I didn't read it preperly, might be worth checking out again?

[briggsy's girl]

hun, given i think you're on PPS, you'll have a pension concession card, which gives you additional discounts over the average health care card. c'link can only help you with generic information about discounts - each state has a website that has all the discounts listed on it - hopefully they're linked to the centrelink website

[MissWingBat]

Just be careful with Telstra - I was on the discount for having a HCC, but then they sent me a letter saying I could either have the discount or the family-combined package discount. The family discount was far greater than the HHC discount (I get $25 credit free calls, and also get to call DH for free on mob) and decided on that one, because the HCC was only about $7.75 a month... But maybe they are just playin me??

[briggsy's girl]

nah, that sounds about right Miss Wing Bat - telstra have discounted plans for people with concession cards, but those aren't compatible with their rewards packages. if you JUST have home phone, then they're worth it, but if you have multiple services together, you're better off with the rewards packages

[Sair]

Telstra always told me they don't do concessions unless you are a senior. I asked on 3 different occasions. Oh well, I am leaving the buggers in Feb for the home phone anyway. They are a rip off even if they do give a discount

[briggsy's girl]

think you'll find telstra only offer to discount to pension concession card holder, not HCC. there are also heaps of different types of HCC, and different types offer different discounts

[C~Q]

hun, given i think you're on PPS, you'll have a pension concession card, which gives you additional discounts over the average health care card. c'link can only help you with generic information about discounts - each state has a website that has all the discounts listed on it - hopefully they're linked to the centrelink website

Ahh I see, thanks for that. I am on PPS so thats the difference...thanks

[Indadhanu]

I thought you could only get discounts with a penion card? That's what yours would be though right (single parents?) because I've had a HCC for ages and couldn't get any discounts on electricity, rego or phone, but now I have the SPP and penion card I do...?

ETA: :yeahthat: what BG said lol

[*Efjay*]

but now I have the SPP and penion card I do...?

l

Not to be rude, just curious.. So even though your in a relationship with a child with Shel, your still classed as a "Single parent" because your in a same sex relationship?

[briggsy's girl]

FJ at this stage same sex couple are not recognised - however, the budget this year (i think) stated that same sex couples would be recognised as partnered from, i believe, July 1, 2009. i think there is a period of time for same sex couples to register early next year. if they haven't after that time, they will be considered the same as any other marriage like relationship, and if a tip off is received, will be investigated, debts raised etc

previously, same sex couples were not recognised as living in a marriage like relationship in any way

[Indadhanu]

Yep, I have already told Centrelink about Shel and I, we had a social work meeting and all that. We are considered coupled from July next year, and I will happily give up my single parent payment when we are recognised as a couple.

I don't do it to rip off the government, just so people know , I do it because legally I am single so our expenses (like medical) are separate, we have separate Medicare Safety Net thing, so we have to pay twice as much as any other family before we hit the safety net limit, plus other things like the costs of having to go through court to get a parenting agreement so Shel is considered a legal guardian as legally she isn't my partner so has no rights when it comes to Jazz, and the extra money from the single parent payment covers the costs of me being seen as single.

[briggsy's girl]

wasn't having a dig Leash! i think it's fantastic that your relationship will actually be acknowledged by the government! i can see it being an issue for a lot of other couples that have BOTH been on PPS and max FTB for a loooooooooong time though... my cousin and her partner both had children and both got max rate of everything simply because there was no recognition...

[*Efjay*]

Oh Leash I wasn't trying to imply you were doing something dodgy I just didn't know how it worked.

[Indadhanu]

Oooo, I didn't mean it to come off like that I didn't think either of you were having a dig I guess I get a bit defensive unconsciously because I've had to explain myself to so many people who think we're just trying to rip off the system and will keep doing it when the news laws are passed.

I am so happy we will be recognised, it actually brings me to tears I can't wait for the day when we can have our ceremony, register our relationship, and be seen as a family...
and I'm ashamed of some same-sex couples who would prefer more money than legal recognition.