Fuel card exempt from pension income test

All aged pensioners living in regional areas can apply for the Country Age Pension Fuel Card without any concern that it may affect their pension.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls welcomed the news and said the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, had written to the Western Australian Premier confirming the fuel card would be exempt from the pension income test.

"The decision follows intense efforts by the State Government since the start of this year to get this exemption from the Federal Government for the benefit of WA's country aged pensioners," Mr Grylls said.

"It means eligible pensioners do not have to worry that their pension will be affected if they apply for a fuel card."

The Country Age Pension Fuel Card has already been exempted from any tax implications by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Minister said there had been an overwhelming response to the fuel card since applications opened on May 1, with nearly 20,000 applications in the first month after the launch..

"I expect another boost in applications following the good news of this exemption," he said.

The fuel card is a major program in the State's Royalties for Region initiative and provides $500 a year towards fuel or taxi fares for aged pensioners living in regional areas.

The first Country Age Pension Fuel Cards were delivered last week and more than 9,000 have been posted to aged pensioners across the State. To purchase fuel, or to use as a taxi voucher, it is a requirement that the Pensioner Concession Card be presented with the fuel card each time it is used.

Applications for a fuel card are available through participating country post offices.

More information is available by calling 1300 666 609 or at the website: http://www.royaltiesforregions.wa.gov.au/Content/MajorProjects/FuelCard/Default.aspx