Age pensioners living in regional Western Australia will be eligible for $500 a year to help with their travel costs following the launch of the Country Age Pension Fuel Card Scheme in Albany today.
Under the State Governments Royalties for Regions program $500 per eligible applicant will be provided each financial year for the next four years towards the cost of fuel and taxi fares.
Launching the fuel card at the Albany Senior Citizens' Centre, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the card would help with travel costs for country age pensioners who relied on cars or taxis' because of limited public transport.
"Age pensioners in regional areas generally do not have access to extensive public transport and fuel is usually more expensive than in the metropolitan area," Mr Grylls said.
"The fuel card will help country age pensioners meet the additional cost of travel using their own vehicles or taxis.
It will also help those who rely on transport from their family, friends or carers to get to appointments, shopping and other essential engagements."
Mr Grylls said the fuel card would be available for regional residents who received an age pension from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Age pensioners did not have to own a car or have a driver's licence to be eligible.
"We recognise that in some cases, an age pensioner may not have a driver's licence, but still has the same transport needs," Mr Grylls said.
"Those age pensioners will be able to use the card to pay for taxi fares or for petrol for the vehicles of the people helping them with their transport needs."
One requirement for the use of the fuel card was a Pensioner Concession Card would be presented with the fuel card each time it was used.
Mr Grylls said the fuel card would be valid at most fuel outlets and taxis throughout regional WA.
Applications for the fuel card will be available through the Australia post by filling out a Country Age Pension Fuel Card form.
Applicants must provide their current Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs Age Pensioner Concession Card when lodging the form.
Age pensioners living in regional areas can apply for a fuel card from tomorrow (Friday, 1 May). Couples are eligible for one card between them.
Australia Post State Manager Dean Nalder said Australia Post was delighted to provide support to the State Government for the Country Age Pension Fuel Card scheme.
"We have 145 country post offices in regional WA that can process this transaction and that will help make it easy for country age pensioners to apply," Mr Nalder said.
Eligible people will have a year (until 30 April, 2010) to apply for their first fuel card which will be valid until 30 June, 2010.
New cards will then be issued automatically each July to those who have already received a card and are still eligible.
More information is available by calling 1300 666 609 or visit http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/RegionDev/RforR/FuelCard.asp
Minister's office
- 9213 7000
