Seniors plea to NT gov for increase to Seniors Recognition Scheme

Seniors in the NT are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of everyday items with a payment they rely on not increasing since 2020. Read their plea and have your say in our reader poll.

Senior Territorians struggling to pay for rent, food and fuel are calling on the NT government to increase the yearly payment thousands of them rely on.

The Seniors Recognition Scheme, which provides those aged 65 and over with a $500 prepaid card each financial year, runs alongside the aged pension payment and seniors concession programs.

But the Council on the Ageing NT says the $500 amount should be increased to keep up with the rising cost of living.

It comes after a 3.7 per cent increase in the pension for all Australians from March 20.

Olly Noble says she uses her $500 prepaid card to afford petrol and groceries.

“As welcome as this payment is, however it is still not indexed to consumer price index, and has remained the same for the last three years,” COTA chief executive Sue Shearer said.

“With CPI running rampant, it is time the NT government thought seriously about indexing the scheme.”

Olly Noble is just a few months shy of her 70th birthday, and said the scheme was an important part of how valued she felt in the community.

She said some of her fellow older Territorians have become reliant on the $500 extra they receive with the cost of everyday expenses reaching new heights.

“There are thousands of people that live in the Territory that don’t have the comfort (of owning property) and are finding it very hard, especially rent, and people go without food so that they can actually pay their rent,” she said.

“And if you’re not sufficiently funded in that area, it can be very taxing.”

She said she used her card to pay for things like fuel and groceries, and an increase, even of just a few dollars to keep up with those increasing costs, would be very well-received.

“Maybe you could buy that extra cream cake,” she said.

“It also makes you feel good, that we’ve been included, it makes you feel as though you’re recognised.

“Just don’t forget about us — it should be in line with everything else.”

COTA advocates for senior Territorians and helps them deal with things like cost of living pressures.

COTA made a similar plea to the NT government in March 2022.

Minister for Seniors Lauren Moss confirmed the government would not be considering indexing the scheme at this time.

“The Territory Labor Government provides a range of programs to support our senior Territorians,” she said.

“This includes a generous concession scheme and the Seniors Recognition Scheme which provides a $500 prepaid card each financial year for Territory residents over 65 years of age to spend as they choose.

“This is an additional benefit, which is not linked to the CPI, and at this stage we are not looking at reviewing the value of the scheme.”

The NT concession scheme includes waiving the cost of driver’s licence renewal, $1200 per year for electricity, $800 per year for water, $200 a year for council rates and $502.20 every two years for glasses.

Originally published as Seniors plea to NT gov for increase to Seniors Recognition Scheme