Social Security Support in times of need.
You, or someone you know, may have had a change in circumstances and may need support. We have put together some information to help you navigate these uncertain times and to answer some frequently asked questions about Social Security Support in times of need.
Q I am already a social security recipient already. Will my payment increase?
You may receive additional payments, depending on what benefit or concession you’re entitled to. This could include:
-
- either one or two $750 stimulus payments, or
- the $550 per fortnight Coronavirus supplement on top of your regular payment.
Stimulus payments of $750
To be eligible for the first payment, you must be residing in Australia and have been eligible for one of the income support payments, or a holder of one of the concession cards listed in the table below on a day between 12 March and 13 April 2020. If you had applied for an eligible payment and are subsequently granted the payment, you will also be eligible for the one-off payment. You’ll also be end to a second payment of $750 unless eligible for the Coronavirus supplement (see below) if eligible to receive that payment on 10 July 2020.
| Income Support Payments | Concession Cards | |
| Age Pension | Austudy | Pensioner Concession Card |
| Disability Support Pension | Youth Allowance | Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card |
| Carer Payment | Special Benefit | Veteran Gold Card |
| Carer Allowance | ||
| Wife Pension | Family Tax Benefit (including Double Orphan Pensions) | |
| Parenting Payment | Farm Household Allowance | |
| Widow B Pension | Veteran Service Pension | |
| ABSTUDY (Living Allowance) | Veteran Income Support Supplement | |
| Bereavement Allowance | Veteran Compensation Payments | |
| Partner Allowance | War Widow Pension | |
| Widow Allowance | Veteran Payment | |
| Newstart Allowance |
If you are eligible the payments will be automatically made on:
-
- 31 March 2020 for the first payment, and
-
- 13 July 2020 for the second payment.
Coronavirus supplement
The Coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight will be paid to new and existing recipients of
-
- JobSeeker Payment
-
- Youth Allowance (JobSeeker)
-
- Parenting Payment
-
- ABSTUDY and Austudy
-
- Farm Household Allowance, and
-
- Special Benefit.
The supplement will be paid over the next six months and will be paid automatically with your ordinary fortnightly payment. It will be paid from 27 April.
Q: I have been temporarily stood down. What are my options?
You may be end to a payment from Centrelink. We explain these options in the next question.
However before applying for a social security benefit, you should ask your employer whether they will be applying for the JobKeeper payment on your behalf. This payment of $1,500 per fortnight would be paid from your employer to you, and would be assessed under the income test when calculating your entitlement to any social security entitlements. This will mean that you wouldn’t be eligible to an income support payment from Centrelink.
For more information on the JobKeeper payment, see the Qld Treasury page JobKeeper Payment.
If you have been stood down but you are receiving payments from your employer, such as annual leave or other paid leave, you will need to disclose this to Centrelink. Depending on the amount of the payment, it may reduce your Social Security Support.
Low income health card
If you are ineligible for an income support payment, you may still be eligible for the Low Income Health Card from Centrelink. To be eligible, your weekly income needs to be below certain thresholds, depending on your family circumstances. If your income for the last eight weeks has exceeded the allowable threshold, it is worth reconsidering your circumstances and eligibility in future weeks, particularly if your circumstances have changed. Income uses the social security rules which does not always reflect the actual income you receive.
It is important to remember that the below income thresholds will include any income received by you and your partner (if applicable) and includes any amount of JobKeeper received by you or your partner.
| Status | Maximum weekly income | Maximum income in 8 week period |
| Single, no children | $570 | $4,560 |
| Couple combined, no children | $984 | $7,872 |
| Single, 1 dependant child | $984 | $7,872 |
| Couple combined, 1 child | $1,018 | $8,144 |
| For each extra child | $34 | $272 |
Q: I have been made redundant, lost my job, or have been stood down. Can I apply to receive a social security support?
You may be end to Social Security Support or a concession card. The benefit or concession you’re end to will depend on your circumstances but could include
-
- JobSeeker payment
-
- Youth Allowance (jobSeeker), or
-
- Parenting Payment.
If you’ve reached your Age Pension age but have been continuing to work, you should instead apply for the Age Pension.
| JobSeeker payment requirements | |
| Age requirements | People aged at least 22 but less than Age Pension age |
| Maximum enment per fortnight | This varies depending on whether you have children, how many children you have, and whether you have a partner. Maximum entitlements (current). If you’re single with no children $565.70Single with children $612.00 Couples (each) $510.80 (current as at 20 March 2020 and may be indexed on 20 September 2020) |
| How much will I actually get? | The amount that you’re end to receive also varies depending on your income. The assets test has been waived for six months. |
| Do I need to serve a waiting period? | Normally waiting periods apply before you can receive these payments. However, some waiting periods have been waived for a limited period. However, one waiting period you may need to undertake an income maintenance waiting period (calculated by considering any redundancy or other termination payments received, which may include lump-sum payments for unused leave enments). Services Australia will be able to provide details of any specific waiting periods that apply to you. |
| What evidence do I need? | Centrelink has temporarily waived the need to provide Employment Separation Certificates, or letters from employers to confirm a change in hours. |
| Do I need to demonstrate that I am looking for work? | Ordinarily end to the payment requires a mutual obligation agreement. This includes activities such as actively seeking employment. However, the mutual obligation requirements have been suspended until 27th April 2020 (unless extended further). This means you’re exempt activities during that time. It also means if you’re continuing to earn some employment income, you don’t need to report this each fortnight until this date. |
| Youth Allowance (jobSeeker) | |
| Age requirements | People aged 16-21 and Looking for full-time work, Doing approved activities, Studying part-time and looking for work, Temporarily unable to work |
| Maximum entitlement | This depends on your circumstances, including whether you live with your parents or away from home your whether you have children and your relationship status. See servicesaustralia.gov.au for payment rates. |
| How much will I get? | The amount that you’re end to receive also varies depending on your income. The assets test has been waived for six months. |
| Do I need to serve a waiting period? | Normally waiting periods apply before you can receive these payments. Some waiting periods have been waived. However, you may also need to satisfy an income maintenance waiting period (calculated by considering any redundancy or other termination payments received, which may include lump-sum payments for unused leave enments). Â |
| What evidence do I need? | Centrelink has temporarily waived the need to provide Employment Separation Certificates, or letters from employers to confirm a change in hours. |
| Do I need to demonstrate that I am looking for work? | Ordinarily end to the payment requires a mutual obligation agreement. This includes activities such as actively seeking employment. However, the mutual obligation requirements have been suspended until 27th April 2020 (unless extended further). This means you’re exempt activities during that time. It also means if you’re continuing to earn some employment income, you don’t need to report this each fortnight until this date. |
| My study load has been impacted because of COVID-19. Will this impact my payment? | If you’re self-isolated or your study load changes because your education provider has closed or reduced your study load, you may remain eligible if you stay enrolled and plan on returning to study. |
| Parenting payment | |
| Who is eligible? | You must be the principal carer of a child who is aged less than 8 if you’re single, or less than 6 if you have a partner. You must also be an Australian resident and in Australia at the time you claim. |
| Maximum entitlement per fortnight | Single $790.10 Couple $510.80 Couple (illness separated) $612.00 (current as at 20 March 2020 and may be indexed on 20 September 2020) |
| How much will I get? | The amount that you’re end to receive also varies depending on your income. The assets test has been a waived for 6 months. |
| Do I need to serve a waiting period? | Normally waiting periods apply before you can receive these payments. However, some waiting periods have been waived for a limited period. However, one waiting period you may need to undertake an income maintenance waiting period (calculated by considering any redundancy or other termination payments received, which may include lump-sum payments for unused leave enments). Services Australia will be able to provide details of any specific waiting periods that apply to you. |
| Do I need to demonstrate that I am looking for work, studying and meeting other ordinary participation requirement? | Ordinarily end to the payment requires a mutual obligation agreement. This includes activities such as actively seeking employment. However, the mutual obligation requirements have been suspended until 27th April 2020 (unless extended further). This means you’re exempt activities during that time. It also means if you’re continuing to earn some employment income, you don’t need to report this each fortnight until this date. |
Q: Will my partner’s income be assessed when determining my entitlement to JobSeeker?
Yes, a partner income test will still apply, which means your partner’s income may impact your entitlement. This will depend on the income earned by your partner. It is only the assets test that is being waived for 6 months until 24 September 2020.
A temporary change to the partner income test will be made to increase the amount that your partner can earn before the JobSeeker entitement reduces to zero. Currently, a partner can earn approximately $47,900 pa before a part JobSeeker payment would cease (assuming that the applicant has no income of their own from any other sources). This will increase to $79,762pa.
Any ongoing income that you earn yourself (such as any employment income, or income from investments) will also reduce your fortnightly payment as follows
| Applicant’s fortnightly income | Reduction in payment |
| Up to $104 | $0 |
| $104 to $254 | 50 cents for every dollar over $104 |
| Over $254 | $75 plus 60 cents for every dollar over $254 |
Q: How do I apply for Social Security Support in times of need?
To determine what Social Security Support you’re end to, you should speak to your financial adviser, or a Centrelink or DVA representative.
Applications may be able to be made online, through MyGov, or in your nearest Centrelink office.
Q: I am overseas and cannot return home due to travel restrictions/quarantine/illness. Can my payment be extended?
It may be possible to extend your benefits. You will need to call Centrelink International Services on +613 6222 3455 between 8am-5pm AEST to discuss your circumstances.
Next steps
To find out more about these are any other issues or concerns you may have, we recommend you contact your financial adviser.
Important information
This document has been prepared by GWM Adviser Services Limited (ABN 96 002 071 749, AFSL 230692) (GWMAS), part of the National Australia Bank group of companies. Any advice provided is of a general nature only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please seek personal advice before making a decision about a financial product. Information in this document is current as at 2 April 2020. While care has been taken in its preparation, no liability is accepted by GWMAS or its related entities, agents or employees for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Any opinions expressed constitute our views as at 2 April 2020. Case studies are for illustration purposes only. Any tax information provided is a guide only. It is not a substitute for specialised tax advice.
GWM Adviser Services Limited (ABN 96 002 071 749, AFSL 230692) A member of the National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) group of companies. NAB does not guarantee or otherwise accept any liability in respect of GWMAS or these services.
