The Coronavirus supplement will commence from 27 April 2020 and will apply for six months.
Asset testing for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker and Parenting Payment will be waived for the six-month period. Income testing will still apply to the person’s other payments, consistent with current arrangements.
The one-week Ordinary Waiting Period has already been waived.
People will not be permitted, and will need to declare that they are not, accessing employer entitlements (such as annual leave and/or sick leave) or Income Protection Insurance, at the same time as receiving Jobseeker Payment and Youth Allowance Jobseeker.
The process for claiming such payment will be accelerated and the application process will be streamlined. Expanded access for payments and faster claims processing will commence from 25 March 2020.
HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
The Government is providing two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 and the second payment will be made from 13 July 2020. Around half of those that benefit are pensioners. This payment will help to support confidence and domestic demand in the economy. The second payment will not be made to those eligible for the Coronavirus supplement.
The payment will be tax-exempt and will not count as income or Social Security, Farm Household Allowance and Veteran Payments.
Eligible recipients are those residing in Australia and be receiving a payment specified by the Government (such as the Age Pension, Carer Payment, Newstart Allowance, etc) or hold a concession card on 12 March 2020.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please refer to the INCOME SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS FACT SHEET from The Treasury. It provides further details of eligibility requirements, expanded access, claims process and examples.
Please refer to the PAYMENTS TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS FACT SHEET from The Treasury. It provides further details of eligibility requirements, timing and examples.