Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

SOCIAL SECURITY ACT 1991 - SECT 1061ZJA

  (1)   This section applies in relation to a person if:

  (a)   immediately before 1   January 2017, the person was receiving a social security pension; and

  (b)   the Secretary is satisfied that the rate of that pension is nil on 1   January 2017 because of the operation of the amendments made by Part   1 of Schedule   3 to the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Fair and Sustainable Pensions) Act 2015 .

Seniors health card income test does not apply

  (2)   In determining whether the person is qualified for a seniors health card at any time on or after 1   January 2017, paragraph   1061ZG(1)(d) does not apply to the person.

Automatic issue of seniors health card

  (3)   If the person is qualified for a seniors health card on 1   January 2017, the Secretary must issue a seniors health card to the person.

Note:   The person does not need to make a claim for the card.

  (4)   If:

  (a)   on 1   January 2017, the person is outside Australia; and

  (b)   the person returns to Australia before the end of the period of 19 weeks beginning on the day the person left Australia; and

  (c)   the person is qualified for a seniors health card on the day the person returns to Australia;

the Secretary must issue a seniors health card to the person.

Note 1:   The person does not need to make a claim for the card.

Note 2:   If the person returns to Australia after the end of that 19 - week period, the person will need to make a claim for a seniors health card.