Increases for pensioners

PENSIONERS have received an increase in several federal allowances, Hotham MP Simon Crean has announced.
Mr Crean said that from 20 March pensioners receiving utilities, senior concession, and telephone allowances had received increases in those payments following on from a Rudd Government promise.
“Labor went to the election promising to help make ends meet for seniors, people with disability and carers, and that’s what we are delivering,” Mr Crean said.
“For utilities allowance recipients, the payments will go up from $107.20 a year to $500 a year for singles or couples combined.
“And because bills arrive in the letterbox every three months that’s how often we’ll be paying the allowance – quarterly instalments to meet quarterly utilities bills.”
Mr Crean said the telephone allowance had increased from $88 to $122 a year, and the seniors concession allowance from $218 to $500 a year.
People receiving aged, disability or carers allowances will receive an extra $125 a quarter.