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Thousands more Wairarapa superannuitants will soon qualify for an annual rates deduction of up to $500.
Labour Government MP Georgina Beyer estimates that around 17,000 Wellington region pensioner households stand to gain from changes to the Government's Rates Rebates Scheme, which comes into effect on 1 July.
"This is great news for older New Zealanders, and an important part of the Labour-led Government's commitment to support all Kiwi families, regardless of their age. The rates rebate will increase by 150 percent from $200 to a maximum of $500. People will be able to get the full $500 rebate if they're earning up to $20,000 a year - compared with the old annual income threshold of $7400," said Ms Beyer.
Wellington's 17,000 are among about 155,000 superannuitant households across the country who will become eligible for the increased rates rebate.
Also on 1 July, all married and civil union superannuitants who live in the community and have a partner in long-term residential care will be eligible for the higher single rate of NZ Super. They will also be eligible for the Living Alone Payment if they are living alone in their principle place of residence. This will benefit about 2000 superannuitants across New Zealand.
A year ago, the Government's phase-out of asset testing meant 7 out of 10 people in residential care no longer have to sell their homes or assets to pay for their care. From 1 July 2006 asset thresholds increase by $10,000 and every year thereafter to enable older people to retain more of their assets and still qualify for a Government subsidy to help meet the cost of their care.
"The Labour-led Government has raised state-funded super to at least 66 percent of the net average ordinary time weekly wage for a married couple. Those pensioners are at least $22 a week better off than they would have been under National," said Georgina Beyer.
"Since July 2004, Wairarapa's older folk have had access to lower GP fees and prescription charges capped at $3 per item through the Government's Primary Healthcare Strategy. Extra funding also allows thousands of new hips and knees," Ms Beyer said.
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