Lump sum payments protected – straight to nursing home residents
Pensioners who live in the nation’s 3,000 nursing homes will keep their entire lump sum payment, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has said.
She made the comments to reassure nursing home residents and their families, following speculation that the one-off payments would go to nursing home owners.
“The one-off payment goes to all pensioners, including those who live in nursing homes, and nursing home owners will not be allowed to increase their fees, so all of the one-off bonus will go straight into the pensioners’ pockets.
The Rudd Government will deliver a $4.8 billion down payment to Australia’s four million pensioners, carers, seniors and veterans, providing them with immediate financial help in the lead up to comprehensive reform of the pension system.
This amount over a nine month period, that is, from now until 30 June next year, represents the equivalent of some $35 a week for single pensioners and some $24 a week for members of a married couple.
