Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart has welcomed the opening of applications for a rebate on council rates available to eligible pensioners to assist them with the rising cost of living.

An annual concession of up to $250 per property is available to pensioners for ordinary rates and domestic waste charges.

A further rebate of up to $87.50 is available for annual water rates and up to $87.50 for annual sewerage rates, where councils provide those services.

The State Government funds 55 per cent of the pensioner rebate, while councils pay the remaining 45 per cent. The Government’s share of the funding is provided to councils, which administer the entire rebate to eligible ratepayers.

Eligibility for the pensioner concessions is determined in accordance with the Australian Government’s policies on pensioner eligibility and income thresholds.

More information can be found on the Savings Finder page of the Service NSW website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder#seniors       

Applications for payment of the Pensioner Concession Subsidy to local councils are now open. Councils have until Friday 6 October 2023 to submit their claims covering concessions provided to pensioners for the 2023-24 year.

Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart said:

“People are doing it tough right now and the impacts of cost of living increases are particularly acute for pensioners.” she said

“The rate rebates are an important relief measure to help ease the financial burden of day to day living expenses for pensioners.

“I encourage Sutherland Shire Council and Wollongong City Council to submit their concession subsidy forms to the Office of Local Government before the October deadline and take full advantage of the funding available.”