Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) 2022

# Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Income Limit Increase **What it does** The government is raising the income threshold for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Single seniors can now earn up to $90,000 a year (up from $50,000), and couples can earn up to $72,000 combined (up from $40,000) and still qualify. This card gives eligible seniors cheaper medicines, dental care, and other health services. **Why it matters** Thousands of older Australians who were just over the old limit but not wealthy enough to afford full-price healthcare can now access the card's subsidies. It means real savings on prescriptions and medical costs for seniors living on modest incomes. **Key details** - The new limits came into effect immediately when the bill received Royal Assent (no waiting period) - These income thresholds will increase automatically each year with inflation from September 2023 onwards (they're frozen for 2022) - The same limits apply to both the Social Security Act and Veterans' Entitlements Act, so war veterans get the same benefit

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