Missing out: Unclaimed government assistance and concession benefits

Read the full text

PDFMissing out: Unclaimed government assistance and concession benefits
Image: ~diP / Flickr

02 June 2010Thousands of Australians, including carers and the recently bereaved, are missing out on assistance worth $623 million because the government does not actively promote awareness of such entitlements.

An analysis of just four Centrelink payments, the Parenting Payment, the Carer Allowance, the Disability Support Pension and the Bereavement Allowance, revealed that in 2008, more than 168,000 Australians missed out on government assistance estimated to be worth $623.8 million.

Research shows that people are excluded because of: a lack of awareness about available assistance; the complexity of claim forms and procedures; the stigma perceived to be attached to claiming assistance payments and concession benefits.

Image: ~diP / Flickr

Publication typeReport
Publisher TypeAPO Member, Think tank
CoverageAustralia
Permanent URLhttp://apo.org.au/node/21513
Views2097

Related Topics

Pensions

Health

Social Policy

Justice

Economics

Related content

Most viewed: This week

1
Teaching with social media in classroom settings: Top ten practices from teachers around Europe
2
Research Associate/s needed for 1 year: Creative Workforce Program
3
Without internet skills, older Australians will miss out on so much.
4
Policy and Research Manager
5
Venture capital and later stage private equity, Australia, 2010-11

Noticeboard

Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards: new inquiry
07 February 2012
The Productivity Commission has been asked to report within 8 months on Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards. The inquiry covers the design of criteria for the selection and ongoing assessment of superannuation funds for nomination as default funds in modern awards.
Review of the Australia Council for the Arts
20 December 2011

Arts Minister Simon Crean has announced an independent review of the Australia Council for the Arts ahead of the development of the nation's first National Cultural Policy in almost 20 years.

Access and equity inquiry
20 December 2011

On 18 November 2011, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, announced the establishment of an independent panel of eminent community leaders to conduct an inquiry into Australian Government services to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Topics

APO