Thousands of aged pensioners in regional Western Australia will receive their $500 fuel cards this week.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the first of the cards were posted last Friday and more than 6,000 had gone out since then to aged pensioners across the State.
Others would be distributed during the coming weeks as applications were received and processed.
Mr Grylls said there had been an overwhelming response to the new Royalties for Regions' Country Age Pension Fuel Card which provided $500 a year towards fuel or taxi fares for aged pensioners living in regional areas.
"More than 17,000 people have applied for a fuel card since it was launched at the start of May," he said.
"That's nearly half of the 35,000 aged pensioners we estimate are eligible for the card.
"It's very clear there is an enormous demand for this support and it's really pleasing to see the immediate take-up of the card.
"So many people I have spoken to value it as a significant boost to help them manage their transport needs on their limited income."
The Minister said the fuel card had been introduced to help with the travel costs of country age pensioners who relied on cars or taxis for their transport needs.
"The fuel card is for aged pensioners living in regional areas who generally do not have access to extensive public transport and who use cars or taxis," he said.
Mr Grylls said the fuel card could also be used by family, friends or carers who provided essential transport, such as taking aged pensioners to medical appointments.
A number of checks were in place to ensure cards were used for transport of aged pensioners.
"This includes the requirement that the aged pensioner's Pensioner Concession Card must be shown every time the fuel card is used," the Minister said.
Mr Grylls said an around-the-clock contact centre had been established which aged pensioners could telephone at any time if their card was lost or stolen.
Information about this was provided with each card when it was sent out.
"The company providing the cards also has computer software that checks for irregular and unusual patterns in the use of the cards," the Minister said.
"This is an active fraud-prevention screening process and enables immediate follow-up if something unusual stands out."
Mr Grylls said all merchants who accepted the fuel card had also been asked to report any suspicious activities to an information line.
Applications for a fuel card are available through participating country post offices.
More information is available by calling 1300 666 609 or go to the website http://www.RoyaltiesforRegions.wa.gov.au/fuelcard
Minister's office - 9213 7000
