You can apply if you get either:
- Parenting Payment single and are under Age Pension age
- Disability Support Pension and are under 21 with no dependent children.
But your income, not including your Centrelink payments or maintenance income, must be less than either:
- $20.50 a fortnight
- $41.00 a fortnight combined income if you have a partner.
The amount you have spent on Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme prescription medicines also matters. It must be more than the Pharmaceutical Allowance you have been paid this calendar year.
How to claim an advance payment
Call us or go to a service centre and ask for a Claim for Advance of Pharmaceutical Allowance SA140 form.
You need to provide your Pharmaceutical Benefits Prescription Record when you claim.
You can only claim in person at a service centre. You may be asked to confirm your identity while you’re there.
We’ll write to you and let you know:
- if we accept your claim
- when we’ll pay you
- how much you’ll get.
You have the right to appeal our decision. Read about reviews and appeals.