Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-17 Daily Xml

Contents

MEDICAL HEATING AND COOLING CONCESSION

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE (4 April 2012).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I am advised:

1. The average waiting time for applicants for a Medical Heating and Cooling Concession (MHCC) is currently four to six weeks, where the application form has been fully completed and where the applicant's doctor or medical specialist has indicated that they have one of the nine primary medical conditions shown on the form.

2. As at 20 April 2012, 381 applications were being assessed, whilst 89 were being followed up because their application was incomplete.

3. I consider a waiting time of four to six weeks to be appropriate and timely for the processing of applications given that this is a new concession, and the large influx of initial applications.