SuperGold Card eNewsletter - May 2013
Emailed information sent to SuperGold Card holders. If you would like to receive these eNewsletters please contact us on 0800 552 002 (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm). Note: emails from us will come from the email address: msd_communications@rnmk.com. Please add this to your address book or safe list so our emails don't get deleted as SPAM - we'd like to keep you informed of the latest SuperGold/Seniors news.
On this page:
Welcome to the latest eNewsletter. We hope that you find the items below helpful and of interest.
Get your questions answered without contacting us
Ask a Question allows you to find key information about our services, at a time that suits you, without needing to contact us.
Many people are using this online tool on our Seniors website as their first option to get answers to their questions (use has grown 639% in three years).
There are currently over 120 questions and answers covering a wide range of topics. New information is added regularly. Some common questions:
How much can I earn before it affects my New Zealand Superannuation?
How long can I go overseas without it affecting my New Zealand Superannuation?
Ask a Question also has information about services from other organisations eg:
- Rates rebates to help with cost of housing, from the Department of Internal Affairs
- Equipment to help with a disability from the Ministry of Health
There may be something in Ask a Question for you, now or in the future. Have a look and add it to your favourites, to use when you need it. If you have any suggestions for information to include in Ask a Question, submit a question on the Ask a Question tool or send an email to seniors@msd.govt.nz
Queen's Birthday Payment
The NZ Super/Veteran’s Pension payment will be made on Tuesday 4 June 2013 as normal.
However your payment may be available earlier from Saturday 1 June via ATM machines and Eftpos.
Budget 2013
Items of interest from this year’s Budget announcements:
- Support for extended family raising children. Funding has been set aside for extended family members caring for children. This funding will improve the support available to kin carers and grandparents raising grandchildren.http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/35m-extended-family-raising-children
- Payment to carers of an adult disabled family member. Some family carers will be able to be paid for the support they provide to an adult disabled family member, starting 1 October 2013. Get more information at www.health.govt.nz/payment-family-carers or ring the Ministry of Health helpline 0800 373 664.
- Funding for home insulation. Funding will be available for home insulation, targeting low-income households (eg Community Services Card holders) particularly those with children or elderly occupants or high health needs. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/100m-investing-warmer-healthier-homes
- Changes to Student Allowance for students aged 65 years and over. The Student Allowance will not be available to students aged 65 and over on the date they start study. This change applies to all new Student Allowance applications for study that starts on or after 1 January 2014. For more information on these changes go to StudyLink website
Top tips
Occasionally in this newsletter we’ll share tips about our services that you may not know about.
Going overseas?
You should let us know each time you leave the country to ensure that you receive your correct entitlement. The easiest way to let us know you will be travelling overseas for a short time (less than 26 weeks) is to send an email to seniors@msd.govt.nz. Tell us your name, address, client number and departure/return travel dates. You will receive an automated message to let you know your message has been received and that’s it, you’re done.
For longer travel (more than 26 weeks) or if you travel frequently (several times a year) you will need to contact us on free-phone 0800-552-002 to discuss.
Elder abuse - it's not OK
Every day there are two confirmed cases of elder abuse in New Zealand. Many more cases go unreported.
This issue will be highlighted on June 15, Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
There are different forms of neglect/abuse, including psychological, financial and physical abuse. Many people experience more than one type of abuse/neglect.
You or someone you know may be at risk. To know the signs to look for and where you can get help go to the Age Concern website.
Keeping eyes healthy
Aged related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in New Zealand, it affects one in seven people over 50 and the incidence increases with age. It affects the central vision and this loss of vision impacts on a person’s ability to drive, read, watch television, undertake hobbies requiring fine work, access websites and even recognise faces.
Symptoms should never be dismissed as just part of ‘getting older’. Detecting changes early allows for steps to be taken to slow down the progression of macular degeneration.
Macular Degeneration New Zealand has its annual National Awareness Week from 26 May to 2 June 2013.
For information phone 0800 MACULA 0800 622 852 or visit www.mdnz.org.nz
From the SuperGold Card/Seniors Team, Senior Services, Ministry of Social Development.
This email was sent to you by the SuperGold Card Team at the Ministry of Social Development. Remember, we will never ask you for your Bank Account or PIN number details in our email updates. The email address used (msd_communications@rnmk.com) is a valid address and is used for reporting purposes. For confirmation of this, please visit our SuperGold website www.supergold.govt.nz and go to Information for cardholders/News and updates/Email updates/May 2013.
