Many businesses and employees are going through tough times at the moment. The measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in many individuals seeking the government welfare system for support for the very first time.
As a result, the government has doubled unemployment benefits in order to assist those who are out of work. If this is your first time applying for welfare, here's a guide to help you check your eligibility and find out how to access the government's coronavirus supplement.
Support if you have lost your job or income
If you have recently lost your job or income, you may be eligible for the government's JobSeeker Payment. Previously known as the Newstart Allowance, JobSeeker is a fortnightly payment aimed at providing support to people who have lost their income and are in the process of seeking work.
The payment is based on a specific rating system depending on personal circumstances. If eligible, an individual without a dependant child could receive approximately $1,100 per fortnight.
Are you eligible?
In order to be eligible for the JobSeeker Payment, you firstly need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged between 22 and 66. Individuals also need to be looking for work or temporarily unable to do so due to sickness or injury.
Casual or part-time workers may also be eligible for the JobSeeker Payment, however, the rate of payment will be impacted depending on their income. Sole traders and those who are self-employed will also be able to receive the JobSeeker Payment from 27 April 2020.
Usually, the government conducts a 'liquid assets test' before an individual can receive unemployment benefits. However, these tests have been suspended so that people don't have to dig into their savings.
How to apply
If this is your first time applying for Centrelink payments, you will need to call Centrelink in order to receive a Customer Reference Number before starting an online application. Applicants will then need to create a MyGov account and link the Centrelink service to their account.
To make the process easier, applicants should prepare a range of supporting documents including financial and bank statements, tax file number and proof of identity. In order to confirm their identity, individuals can call Centrelink staff over the phone.
Foolish takeaway
The government has also boosted welfare payments for parenting, farming households and full-time students. The government's coronavirus supplement will see recipients receive an additional $550 per fortnight.
