On 22 March 2020, the Government announced it will provide a temporary Coronavirus Supplement of $550 a fortnight to new and existing income support recipients from 27 April 2020 for six months.
People will receive their usual payment plus $550 each fortnight for the six month period.
The Coronavirus Supplement will be provided to people receiving:
- JobSeeker Payment
- Sickness Allowance
- Youth Allowance for jobseekers
- Parenting Payment Partnered
- Parenting Payment Single
- Partner Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Farm Household Allowance
For more information re Eligibility and Qualification for Payments and much more, head to the Centrelink page for Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support.
Unfortunately, there are also a number of key groups who will miss out:
- Youth Allowance students
- Migrant workers who are not residents
- International students
- TPV or SHEV visa holders who are only eligible for Special Benefit if they have less than $5000 in liquid funds
- People seeking asylum who receive SRSS payments or have had their SRSS payments removed
- Carers
- Disability Support Pension recipients
- Age Pension recipients
- People subject to Compensation Preclusion Periods and Income Maintenance Periods
If you’re concerned about your payments or your rights, or you need to book an appointment time to speak with one of our offices please get in touch here.
- Download the full factsheet here: COVID 19 and Centrelink
- Information on income support payments for people already getting a payment You don’t need to do anything.
- Information on income support for Coronavirus: I’ve never received income support or can’t find my CRN There are three things you need to do as a priority.
- The Job Seeker line 132 850 now has extended hours of operation from 8am to 8pm local time on weekdays and 9am to 5pm local time on weekends.