3. Other Centrelink pensions, allowances and benefits

3.1  Disability Support Pension (DSP)

An income support payment for people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment who are unable to work.
DSP can be received after age pension age and while it is same rate as other social security pensions, it provides a higher Mobility Allowance and a higher Rent Assistance. Nevertheless Age Pension is generally better because there isn’t medical eligibility reviews and Age Pension is paid outside Australia.

3.2 Pension Loans Scheme

Due to payment variations that occur as a result of the income and assets test, the Pension Loans Scheme provides for the borrowing of the difference between the entitled rate and the maximum rate of Age Pension.
The individual must have property in Australia for security, while interest is calculated fortnightly. The loan accumulates over time and may be repaid at an agreed time or recovered from the estate.

3.3 Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance gives extra help to people on low incomes who rent their accommodation in the private or community rental market.

3.4 Lump Sum Advance Payments

Allows for an advance of future income support entitlement and has to be repaid to Centrelink. Both the maximum and minimum sum of advancements will increase in line with pension rate and will be repaid over six months by direct deductions from payments.

3.5 Pension Bonus Scheme

To join the applicant must have qualified for Age Pension before 20 September 2009. The scheme provides incentives to defer Age Pension for up to five years if working, providing a tax-free lump sum when Age Pension is claimed.

3.6 Pension Supplement

Pension Supplement is a fortnightly payment to assist with household expenses.

3.7 Special Benefit

Special Benefit helps Australian residents who are in severe financial hardship due to circumstances outside their control and are unable to get any other Centrelink pension or benefit.

3.8 Seniors Supplement

Available to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders  and is $816.40 p.a for singles and $616.20 p.a. for couples to assist with the cost of general living expenses.

3.9 Family Assistance Payments

These are available to all eligible Australian families, including grandparent carers, to assist with the costs of raising children.

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