Here’s how to claim yours. Out-of-work Victorians will be eligible for a new payment as the state grapples with its fourth Covid lockdown. Melburnians must prove they have less than $10,000 in liquid assets and have “insufficient” leave entitlements to receive a new $500 Covid-lockdown emergency payment. Victoria was plunged into lockdown over a week ago to crush an escalating Covid outbreak, a measure that was extended earlier this week. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday confirmed people in hot spots would be eligible for weekly emergency payments to help them through the crisis.
People living in hot spots aged over 17 who ordinarily worked 20 hours a week will receive $500 a week, while those who worked less than 20 hours would receive $325. They will be able to do this from Tuesday by making an application online with Services Australia, and they will also be a number they can contact. To be eligible, applicants must declare they would have worked were it not for the lockdown and have lost income. They must report less than $10,000 in liquid assets and have “insufficient” leave entitlements, including unprecedented pandemic and sick leave. There will be further information provided about that,” Mr. Morrison said.
They will not be required to use annual leave.
- Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said Victorians “can rest assured that the money will be on their account”.
- He said Services Australia ensured those eligible could file their applications to Centrelink.
- Centrelink was “ready to go” and ensured it had sufficient resources to process applications.
- Mr. Morrison said, “Victorians just want to know they are getting help next week”.
- “That is what matters, and they will be able to do this from Tuesday,” Mr. Morrison said.
- “They want to know they will get that support, and if you meet the criteria, you will get it next week.”
- Mr. Morrison said the federal government support was “commensurate with the risks faced to avoid any unnecessary hardship on Australians”.
- The Commonwealth will also establish a national framework for support in areas defined as a hot spots, where lockdowns last longer than seven days.
- “The first seven days are matters entirely for state and territory governments, as they wish to provide support,” he said.
If a lockdown, due to a state public health order, continues (beyond seven days) … then we will support payments for those affected and those affected areas.”
The payments will be assessed on a week-by-week basis.
“We are talking about somebody getting through the next week, who would normally (would) be in an economic situation where every dollar counts. But the prime minister has denied the move was an admission the Commonwealth was partly responsible for the situation in Victoria. “It’s an admission that the Commonwealth responds to disasters. That is what it is an admission of,” he said.
Mr. Morrison spoke to Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino on Wednesday, who suggested funding for the new payment should be evenly split. Another option floated by the prime minister was the state covering all business support and the federal government funding all household support.
