Centrelink payments have been increased and more Australians made eligible to receive them as the government ramps up its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
From April 27, welfare recipients will be paid an additional $550 coronavirus supplement on top of their usual fortnightly payments – effectively doubling the unemployment benefit.
The extra payments were announced as part of the federal government’s latest $66 billion support package.
Here’s how to access them.
Am I eligible for the coronavirus supplement?
The supplement is available to anyone receiving the following payments:
- JobSeeker payments
- Youth Allowance for job seekers
- Parenting payments
- Farm Household Allowances
- Special Benefits
If you’ve previously applied to receive one of these payments and been knocked back, don’t be disheartened – you might be eligible now.
In addition to increasing payments, government will waive asset testing for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting payments.
This means home owners (among others) are more likely to qualify for financial assistance as Centrelink won’t factor in the value of their home and assets when assessing applications.
Income testing will still apply, so if you’re still earning a healthy wage (more than $1075 a fortnight), you might not be entitled to government help.
Eligibility rules have also been expanded to include:
- Permanent employees who have been temporarily stood down
- Sole traders, self-employed, casual and contract workers who have lost income
- People caring for someone affected by the coronavirus.
The government has waived many of the waiting periods to speed up the payments.
How do I claim the coronavirus supplement?
If you’re already receiving an eligible Centrelink payment, Services Australia will automatically pay you the coronavirus supplement from April 27.
If you’re not already receiving a qualifying payment, you will need to apply through Centrelink.
This can typically be done over the phone or online through the myGov portal.
But a surge in the number of people trying to access Centrelink on Monday overloaded and crashed the myGov website.
Tweet from @ServicesGovAU
What if I’m not eligible for the coronavirus supplement?
Australians who don’t qualify for the supplement aren’t being left to fend for themselves.
From July 13, Centrelink will pay a second $750 economic support payment.
Initially, the economic support payment was designed to be a one-off sum to help 6.2 million Australians receiving pensions, concessions and tax benefits.
You will only receive one payment even if you have multiple qualifying cards or benefits.
The payments will be made automatically but won’t be given to anyone receiving the coronavirus supplement.
