According to the Northern Territory government, the prepaid cards – first introduced last year, but as of now rolled out further – help seniors with the cost of travel, accommodation, electricity, water and fuel, and replace previously used paper travel vouchers, and acknowledge “the contribution of all senior Territorians”.

This will allow eligible seniors to have immediate access to their annual payment.

According to the Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield, the NT Seniors Recognition Scheme is “the most generous scheme in the country”.

“We value our senior Territorians and their vital role in our families and community, as well as their contribution to our economy,” he commented.

The scheme was part of a wider reform to the former NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme in 2018.

The move across to a prepaid card from paper vouchers and a reimbursement method “is a win for senior Territorians and businesses in this program, as it eases administrative burdens and ensures that we are delivering a scheme that is robust and guards against fraud and rorting”, Mr Wakefield concluded.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.