Social services groups want the federal government to plug gaps in its COVID disaster payment system as fresh outbreaks again wreak havoc on state and territory borders.
People are eligible for up to $500 a week if they're in a nationally-recognised hotspot for more than seven days and cannot work.
But they aren't eligible if they're also on the dole or other income support, or if they're receiving a separate federal disaster leave payment that also excludes people on JobSeeker.
The Australian Council of Social Service on Monday urged the Morrison government to plug gaps in its $500-a-week payment as states and territories again slammed their borders shut.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said people shouldn't have to wait a week to get the money or be excluded because they're getting JobSeeker.
"Getting by on the paltry rate of JobSeeker is impossible at the best of times, let alone in a lockdown," Dr Goldie said.
For people who would usually work fewer than 20 hours a week, the disaster payment drops to $325.
It's separate to the government's $1500 payment for people forced to quarantine for two weeks, which comes with its own caveats.
National cabinet is expected to meet later on Monday to canvas the growing COVID crisis and issues including disaster leave.
States and territories have all but closed themselves off to each other as NSW, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia record new cases.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said lockdowns and restrictions were the fault of the Morrison government and it should look after people who couldn't work as a result.
Newly appointed Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie was contacted for comment.
