Jul 22, 2021 / News

COVID-19

COVID-19 Disaster payment – July 2021

The state government has announced that it will provide fully-funded income support payments to eligible workers in regional SA who live or work outside of the Commonwealth-declared hotspots of  Adelaide Metro, Adelaide Hills and Gawler.

Background

The federal government has enhanced its COVID -19 Disaster payment which is now available for each recognised lockdown, hotspot or period of restricted movement in a particular area.

If eligible, for each relevant period workers (and both members of a couple) can receive:

• $375 if they have lost between 8 and 20 hours of work per week
• $600 if they have lost 20 hours or more of work per week

This payment is available even if you’re eligible on only one day of a recognised COVID-19 period of restriction.

General eligibility criteria to be met:

• You are an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
• You are aged 17 years or older
• You are not receiving an income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Dad and Partner Pay or Parental Leave Pay
• You are not receiving the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period
• You have lost income and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements (appropriate paid leave entitlement must be used before you can get the COVID-19 Disaster payment)

For South Australians claims can be made from 28 July 2021 via Services Australia and myGov.  Payments will be paid in arrears for the lockdown.

The SA Government is also seeking clarification with the Commonwealth Government that the majority of microbusiness not registered for GST will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster payment.

Please visit the Services Australia website here for details to make your claim.