Visioncarensw

Centrelink Recipients

It is a condition of application that all applicants to the Program (Centrelink recipients) must submit a current Centrelink Income Statement together with their application.  Please note: (i) either an original of the Income Statement or a copy of both the front and reverse sides of the Income Statement is required – providing details of income and assets (ii) for all applicants who are married or in a de facto relationship, a Centrelink Income Statement is required for both the applicant and their partner.

To complete the Self Eligibility Test (which appears on the cover of the Application Form) please refer to the Centrelink Income Statement(s) after checking that all details on the Statement(s) are current and correct.  Applicants can then provide accurate answers to the following questions, regarding their income and assets:

Question 1 – Do you have total assets (as defined) of more than $500 (single/separated person) or $1000 (married/partnered couple or single parent)?

Definition of assets:  Assets include monies held by applicant and/or by their spouse/partner in bank, building society, credit union accounts etc, cash, property (but not the home in which you reside), investments, shares, accessible superannuation or superannuation rollovers.  Assets do not include your car, furniture or personal possessions.

Question 2 - Do you receive any other family income from any source (aside from your Centrelink payments) which exceeds $20 per fortnight (single/separated person) or $34 per fortnight (married/partnered couple or single parent)?

Note: This income includes gross income from wages or casual earnings, overseas pension, maintenance payments, compensation payments, gross rental income from property or gross business income etc.

If you answered “YES” to either of the questions, you will not meet the means test criteria for assets and/or income for this program.  Do not complete an application form as you will not be eligible for Program benefits.

Please note:

(i) If you are receiving a foreign pension and your Centrelink payment is reduced accordingly for this reason, you may be eligible and should check your eligibility with the VisionCare NSW office.

(ii) If an applicant is married/partnered, the total value of assets (as defined) includes the combined assets of both persons; and the total family income from all sources includes the total income of both members of the couple.

Non-Centrelink Recipients

Low income earners or those in receipt of business income (equal to or less than a Commonwealth unemployment benefit) may be eligible, provided they fully meet all criteria of the means test.  Please note: Gross income (not net income) from earnings or business income is assessed.

Persons in receipt of workers compensation payments (where the payment is equal to or less than a Commonwealth unemployment benefit) may be eligible, provided they fully meet all criteria of the means test. 

Children may also be eligible for the Program depending on total family income and assets of their parent(s), when compared to the income and assets limits of the means test. 

Should you be unsure of your eligibility or wish to clarify any aspect of your application, please contact the VisionCare NSW Office.