COVID-19 SUPPLEMENT TO NEW AND EXISTING JOBSEEKER RECIPIENTS

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SUMMARY
Coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight paid to new and existing recipients of Jobseeker (formally Newstart) payment. This is a flat rate not dependent on your assets or income.

POLICY
The Government is establishing a Coronavirus supplement, to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight. This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories. These changes will commence from 27 April 2020 and will apply for six months.

To be eligible you have to be earning less than $1,075 a fortnight and receiving one of the following income support payments:

  • JobSeeker Payment (formerly known as the Newstart Allowance)

  • Sickness Allowance

  • Youth Allowance for jobseekers

  • Parenting Payment Partnered

  • Parenting Payment Single

  • Partner Allowance

  • Farm Household Allowance

  • Youth Allowance students and apprentices

For the six month period of the Coronavirus supplement, there will be expanded access to those income support payments, including for:

  • Permanent employees who are stood down or lose their employment

  • Sole traders

  • The self-employed

  •  Casual worker

  •  Contract workers

The entire supplement will be payable to a recipient who qualifies and receives an amount from  any of the payments listed above and is not subject to means testing. The main payment is still subject to relevant means tests. 

Recipients of the above payments eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement on 10 July 2020 are not eligible for the second $750 one-off payment. 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 of receiving Jobseeker Payment and Youth Allowance Jobseeker.

MORE INFORMATION
Refer to the Treasury website page for more information and worked examples.

HOW TO APPLY
The supplement will be automatically paid to eligible recipients, commencing on 27 April and being paid for at least six months.

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