You will b assessed to determine whether or not you can get the Pharmaceutical Allowance. Once you qualify, you will be paid the allowance with your regular payment each fortnight.
You don’t need to apply unless you want an advance payment. You may be able to get Pharmaceutical Allowance in advance as a lump sum of 7 fortnightly payments. You can apply if you get either:
- Parenting Payment single and are under Age Pension age
- Disability Support Pension and are under 21 with no dependent children.
But your income, not including your Centrelink payments or maintenance income, must be less than either: $20.50 a fortnight or $41.00 a fortnight combined income if you have a partner.
The amount you have spent on Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme prescription medicines also matters. It must be more than the Pharmaceutical Allowance you have been paid this calendar year.
How to claim an advance payment
- To claim an advance payment, call Centrelink or go to a service center and ask for a Claim for Advance of Pharmaceutical Allowance SA140 form.
- You need to provide your Pharmaceutical Benefits Prescription Record when you claim.
- You can only claim in person at a service centre. You may be asked to confirm your identity while you’re there.
Once your claim has been submitted, it will be reviewed and processed; Centrelink will write to you and let you know:
- if your claim is accepted
- when you will be paid
- how much you’ll get.
In summary, this is the procedure to claim your Pharmaceutical Allowance.
- Check your eligibility
- Contact Services Australia. You can contact them through their website, phone, or by visiting a service center.
- Submit a claim
- Provide required information
- Submit the application
- Await assessment
- Receive notification
It’s important to note that these steps provide a general overview of the process, and there may be variations or additional requirements depending on your specific circumstances. For the most up-to-date information on claiming the Pharmaceutical Allowance, I recommend contacting Services Australia directly or visiting their official website.