North Sydney Council: Older residents to receive a one-off cash Christmas Bonus.

By ANNA USHER

Older residents may be eligible for a one off “Christmas Bonus” in the coming weeks, with a cash deposit hitting bank accounts before December 25.

Now in its 25th year, the North Sydney Council Pensioner Christmas Bonus scheme is designed to spread some festive cheer to elderly locals in the community.

North Sydney Council has confirmed applications are now open for the 2021 handout.

“We have a budget of $12,000 which is divided among applicants, usually between 200 and 300 pensioners,” a spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

“We know that some of our older residents really do it tough at Christmas and they can feel very isolated.

“The Pensioner Christmas Bonus is a way for Council to spread a little bit of Christmas cheer among some of our most vulnerable residents.”

The amount received by those eligible is about $40 per person.

“It’s a small gift to help make the Christmas period a little easier,” the spokesperson said.

“North Sydney Council also supports other initiatives for pensioners who may be struggling via the Crows Nest Centre, which runs a hot food delivery service and events to help keep our older residents connected with the community.”

For more information on the Pensioner Christmas Bonus, visit: North Sydney Council – Pensioner Christmas Bonus (nsw.gov.au)

Please note, only North Sydney LGA residents are eligible. To be considered you must hold a current Aged Pension Concession card or Veteran Affairs card with a North Sydney LGA address.First time applicants are asked to attend in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre, 200 Miller St, North Sydney, between 9am and 5pm until Monday 6 December 2021.

Visitors may also be required to check in and provide proof of vaccination, in-line with NSW Health Orders.