A Blue Mountains mum just scored over $800 back from Service NSW – and she reckons heaps of other people are missing out on the same cash.
Alyce Verade, 37, made one phone call and walked away with money that’ll help feed her three kids and pay the bills. Now she’s telling everyone to get on the phone and see what they can claim.
How She Got the Cash Back
Verade gets the Single Parenting Payment and has a Pensioner Concession Card. Turns out, that card gets you refunds on rego and licence fees in NSW – but barely anyone knows about it.
Her hairdresser tipped her off. Ten minutes on the phone to Service NSW later, she had $692 back on her car rego plus another $200+ on her licence.
“I was so shocked that I was eligible for that,” she said. “They just asked a few questions, needed my Centrelink number and when I last paid Service NSW.”
What You Can Actually Get
If you’ve got a Pensioner Concession Card in NSW, you can get money back on:
- Car registration
- Vehicle tax
- Transfer fees
- Stamp duty
- Free licence renewals
- Free driving tests
Other states do it differently. Victoria gives you 50% off rego. Queensland has their own discounts. Each state runs their own show.
Who Gets These Cards
You automatically get a Pensioner Concession Card if you’re on:
- Age Pension
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment Single
- JobSeeker or Youth Allowance (if you’re single with kids)
Why This Matters
Verade works three casual jobs – retail and as a teacher’s aide – while raising kids aged 7, 6, and 3. That $800 isn’t pocket change.
“That money is going towards the kids, that’s where all the money always goes,” she said.
She’s already helped a mate claim $500 back.
The Bottom Line
Verade reckons tons of people are leaving money on the table. “There are things out there to help us make day-to-day life easier,” she said.
If you’ve got a concession card, pick up the phone. Check your state’s website. See what you can claim.
Because apparently, a lot of us are walking past free money without even knowing it.
