The Australian Government has announced a new COVID-19 Disaster Payment to help people affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
The new payment will help Victorian workers who are unable to earn income due to current lockdown restrictions.
You can claim this payment using your Centrelink online account through myGov from Tuesday 8 June 2021.
You must meet all of the following:
be an Australian resident, permanent resident or eligible working visa holder
live or work in a Comonwealth declared hotspot
be unable to work and earn income as a result of a state lockdown
be where the lockdown is for more than 7 days
have liquid assets of $10,000 or less.
You’ll get either:
$325 if you’ve lost less than 20 hours of work
$500 if you’ve lost 20 hours or more of work.
This payment is taxable.
You can’t get this payment for the first 7 days of lockdown.
You can’t get the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if you’re getting any of these:
income support payments
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
state small business payment.
You need to have used up other pandemic state-based entitlements and all paid leave entitlements except annual leave.
For more information, please visit Service Australia here.