2008 One-Off Bonus Payments For Seniors
The Government's first Budget provided a $500 one-off bonus payment for eligible senior Australians which was automatically paid by 30 June 2008.
Those eligible for the bonus payment were Age Pensioners, other income support recipients of age pension or service pension age and all recipients of Mature Age, Widow and Partner Allowances, Wife Pension and Widow B Pension. Recipients of the Seniors Concession Allowance and certain Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders also received the $500 bonus payment.
A person must have been receiving their qualifying payment during a period that included Budget night, 13 May 2008. Additionally, a person must have been in Australia on 13 May 2008, or if temporarily absent, must not have been absent for a period of more than 13 weeks, on 13 May 2008.
The bonus payment is neither taxable nor treated as income for social security or veterans' affairs purposes.