The EAST Orange Post Office has been swamped by people wanting to sign up for a new pensioner concession service.
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Australia Post’s MyPost concession account freezes the cost of buying a stamp at 60 cents for eligible customers, as it rises to 70 cents for other Australians.
“[The account] entitles them to two booklets at the concession rate,” said Conrad Silvester, who owns the East Orange Post Office.
As well as this, account holders receive a free booklet of five stamps and concessions on Australia Post’s mail redirection service.
“It’s actually quite an important benefit for a pensioner, if they’re going to make the big move into a retirement home or nursing home,” said Mr Silvester.
The new accounts are in hot demand.
Mr Silvester estimates his post office is processing 20 to 30 new applications each day.
“We ran out of forms on the first day and we’ve been photocopying since then,” he said.
Account holders are also eligible for a digital mailbox.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a healthcare card, a pensioner concession card, a commonwealth seniors’ healthcare card, a card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or a Veterans’ repatriation health card.
Mr Silvester said applying is straightforward.
“They fill out a form and we type it into the system.”
The price of stamps rose 10 cents for the rest of Australians on March 31.