Up to 40 000 older veterans, war widows and widowers will receive their first instalment of the Australian Government's seniors concession allowance next week, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, said today. The seniors concession allowance will help eligible Gold Card holders of veteran pension age meet the cost of energy, rates, water and sewerage and motor registration.

"More than 311 000 Commonwealth Seniors Heath Card holders and pensioners in the veteran community already benefit from the seniors concession allowance and pensioner utilities allowance which were introduced in December 2004," Mrs Kelly said. "Up to 40,000 Gold Card holders of veteran pension age who do not already receive the seniors concession allowance or the utilities allowance will now get the support they need."

Mrs Kelly said the extension of the allowance was not means-tested and veterans did not need to fill in any forms to receive the payment, although approximately 2,200 gold card holders not currently receiving DVA payments were required to provide their bank account details.

"The first instalment of $103 will be paid to new recipients next Thursday, 8 December," she said. "Eligible Gold Card holders will continue to receive the allowance on the first pension payday following 1 June and 1 December each year."

Mrs Kelly said the extension of the allowances represented the Australian Government's commitment to older members of the veteran community. "The Government continues to develop initiatives that meet the changing needs of members of our veteran community," she said. "The extension of the seniors concession allowance recognises the special needs of Gold Card holders and ensures they receive support in meeting their utilities bills."