I contacted the company Ray used that for quite a bit of money will take away all the paperwork pain of applying for the old age pension in October when I turn 67.
Details were provided to the company over the phone with a document to sign and return, and a couple of other matters.
It was easy, except I needed a Centrelink CRN, a Customer Relationship Number? I know nothing of this. I haven't had any Social Security contact since 1979 when for a couple of months, I received dole money.
It didn't take too long for the call to Centrelink, our government social services department, to answer but I was not visible on the system. For the hour and a half I was on hold, with the pleasant lady checking in every five minutes to reassure me I was in her queue to identify me, eventually, it happened and I had my brand new CRN.
As I was on hold I dusted most of the lounge room.
The good news is I will receive a part age pension and best of all, the concession card, giving me considerable reductions for so many things. Medications will all drop to about $6 per month, instead of the the maximum of $30 I now pay. Most of my medications are around $10 but one does cost $30. The savings by having the card are huge.
I was feeling financially insecure but now, I feel a whole lot better now I know I can get the concession card.
"Phyliss, why are you washing that crockery by hand?"
"I have the time Andrew and it will save you money by not using the dishwasher so often."
"Phyllis, the dishwasher has to operate every second or third day. Your crockery can go in the dishwasher. There is plenty of crockery in the cupboards. The constantly running hot water sink tap as you hand wash dishes costs me money". Lordy, I've experienced this before with an Indian friend who would not use a dishwasher. I feel dishes are cleaner if they have been washed in a dishwasher, rather than hand washed in a sink and then dried with a tea towel, or in the case of Phyliss, paper towel. My goodness, how he can go through paper towel and tissues. Neither cost much, so no real problem.
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That concession card is very valuable. My prescriptions cost hundreds each month. I don't think I will qualify for it though. Sigh. I must investigate further. And count my lucky stars that I can afford the costs.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; yes, investigate! I think you'll find you qualify for the concession card.
DeleteDo so EC, and don't forget there is also the federal Seniors Health Care card. I don't know much about it. I guess you meet the cap each year and subsequently pay less.
DeleteI am 70 Andrew but don’t qualify for benefits as hubby is still working. When my time comes to apply I was thinking of a company to negotiate with Centrelink. Is the one that you used the company that regularly advertises on the radio? Can I be rude and ask roughly what the cost is please. Marie, Cheltenham
ReplyDeleteMarie, I don't listen to commercial radio. It's two words with the initials PS, although it has merged with another company and may trade under the new name. $400 initial consultation, $1100 to prepare and lodge the paperwork, and if chosen, an annual fee of $400 to deal with changes as they arise. It is a lot more than when Ray first used the company about ten years ago.
DeleteMarie; at age 70 even with husband still working you may be eligible for a part pension, which makes it far easier to move onto the full pension when the time comes as you will already be in the system. Why not take a day and just go to the nearest Centrelink office and speak to someone without going through companies that charge fees?
DeleteGood advice River. I knew I was entitled, and planned to use the company when Ray began using it. My affairs are simpler now that he has died. But I just hate paperwork and I've dealt with rather a lot of late.
DeleteGood result for you. Bureaucracy is a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteYes JB. I've dealt with rather a lot lately, even though Ray's affairs were quite simple.
DeleteGreat that your pension application is sorted. I didn’t know there were companies that can help you do that. I have started sorting my application and have a few complications that I would appreciate an experts advise on. Are you able to say the companies name?
ReplyDeleteMel, Melbourne
I prefer not to Mel. Send me an email to andrewhighriser1 at gmaildotcom and I'll tell you there.
DeleteIt now seems to be called Central Wealth.
DeleteI've stopped washing any eating/cooking utensils by hand unless necessary. These days I have to load and unload the machine almost daily due to all my cooking exploits. lol Also, I agree about thinking the machine does a better job. Be well!
ReplyDeleteDarla, cooking exploits, lol. Yep, that is what dishwashers are for, to wash dishes, and yes, they do come up wonderfully clean.
Delete:D
DeleteI am the dishwasher. No running water or tea towels, though. Use a bowl and dry them on a rack in the air.
ReplyDeleteTasker, you would be of an age to use a bowl in the sink, which has always struck me as a queer thing. Last year I learnt about leaving dishes to dry on a rack. I had always used a tea towel to dry dishes.
DeleteCongratulations! It is great comfort when we realize we have access to programs like that. All the best, my friend! Aloha
ReplyDeleteCloudia, the age pension is enough to live on if you own your own modest home, or have a government subsidised rental property.
DeleteIt is the traditional thinking for Asians to save money by handwashing plates etc.
ReplyDeleteRoentare, false economy in my opinion. In Asian countries do people have to pay much for water? I think not.
DeleteHas Phyllis called you "dad" yet? He may start asking for his pocket money.
ReplyDeleteNot yet YP. But the possibility is there. His father is the same age as myself.
DeleteHe'll to do some extras to please his daddy and receive pocket money.
When I finally have a dishwasher, you can bet your bippy that I will use it religiously. Glad you got the pension paperwork sorted. I would be willing to spend money to have someone figure that stuff out for me. It is a whole nuther world.
ReplyDeleteMy bippy, Debby? I don't know what that is and I don't think I want to put my bippy to risk. It was a nightmare for Ray when he began the process many years ago, until he paid this company. It is wrong that that there is so much paperwork for something so simple.
DeleteConstantly running hot water tap?? Does nobody do dishes the old-fashioned way with a sink of hot water and detergent all suds up? That's how I do my dishes, which are all scraped and cold water rinsed before the washing up begins so the sink water doesn't become filthy. And then I dry them right away, without rinsing which is a waste of water and totally unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got the pension paperwork sorted, nothing left to do now but wait for that first payment so you can mark it on your calendar with a gold star. You are officially old now. It's a fortnightly payment and if you mark the calendar for the year ahead you will see there are two months during the year when you get three payments :)
I rinse, wash and dry dishes exactly as you describe, River. While I don't have a draining rack here, at Sister's I learnt to just wash dishes and let them dry in the rack. My sink is ridiculously large and deep and it does my back in to wash dishes for too long.
DeleteHa, the three payments per month for mortgage repayment used to help. I look forward to the three pension payments.
I became eligible in March last year when I turned 66.5 (you are a mere babe) but didn't qualify because of super balances. With the new build and super not performing quite as well as it could have we have dipped below the threshold so will be reapplying for a part pension. As you say, the concession card is worth it. Reduced rates, registration, power bills, medications, sometimes even a hair cut! I do my own though as our circumstances don't change enough to need to pay someone and I love filling in forms.
ReplyDeleteMerlot, it is surprising to read about how many could be entitled to a minor pension and don't claim it. I have also applied for Aged Care, and my free hearing aids, while not needed now, will future proof me for hearing issues.
DeleteMaybe on some level Phyllis fears being replaced by a machine. A modern-day John Henry of the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteKirk, yes, maybe about being replace by a machine it a concern. Google is not being helpful about John Henry
DeleteI'm told that using the dishwasher is cheaper than using a sink of hot water and rinsing dishes. It's a must for me if not using the dishwasher to rinse the subs off the dishes, cutlery etc. However just about everything goes in our dishwasher for the two of us, and same is turned on nearly everyday - 'cause I cook all meals.
ReplyDeleteGood to have the Centrelink sorted out and what a saving that card will be...you will wonder how you managed without it, Andrew.
I think a dishwasher is cheaper Margaret then running hot water at the sink. Cleaner too. I've lost Ray's concessions plus I have to pay for everything rather than half each.
DeleteMy grumpy mean streak says that if you can afford to pay someone to make your application to Centrelink you are too rich to receive the pension.
ReplyDeleteMy grumpy mean streak says that the professional classes hate paying taxes to support less fortunate blue collar workers in their old age.
DeleteWell, we can both have grumpy mean streaks.
DeleteI don't mean you shouldn't get the pension. But I'm sure you could apply for it yourself rather than having some servant do it for you. Of course there are whole industry sectors based on monetarizing the government-person interface, eg tax agents.
I shall take "less fortunate" with a grain of salt.
CRN is customer reference number
ReplyDeleteAs I've learnt, thanks Kylie, and without contact since 1979, I did not have one.
DeleteIf you have a dishwasher, use it. You are so right, stuff comes out cleaner and it cuts out that drying up with a T towel stage. Some folk seem to thrive on rinsing, washing, rinsing again then drying up and putting away - not me !
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Alison, you are such a girlfriend after my own heart.
Delete👍😍
DeleteAlison x
With a couple of exceptions, if it does not work in the dishwasher, it is not in our kitchen. The new machine is really very - very good. I use to go through rolls and rolls of paper towels (kitchen roll.) I bought a dozen terry cloth kitchen towels, we use those, and run them with the washing. We now have a couple of dozen of them. The one's I use are called a "bar mop" in the USA. A smaller size and very absorant. I think they do a better job, cost less, and hopefully washing them is better than cutting down trees for paper.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds good to me TP. Washable is always good.
Deletebar mop? I shall check with Google and Amazon, such a thing might come in handy.
DeleteI'm catching up Andrew, I've been away. I so agree on the dishwasher being run every few days. AND so happy you sorted out your financials. Nothing more stressful than wondering what's going to happen in uncertainty.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, you've been travelling? We older people need to feel financially secure, before we are robbed by aged care accommodation.
DeleteIndeed it's cheaper and cleaner using the dishwasher ! Tests have proved it. Your pension system seems different to ours.
ReplyDeleteIt is Gattina. The age pension is adequate enough if you own your own modest home and most people can afford to run a car. Superannuation, paid by you and your employer, is icing on the cake and you can have quite a bit of money and still receive the age pension. The concessions that the card brings are huge.
Delete