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South Australians now eligible for COVID-19 Disaster Payment
South Australians under lockdown are set to be supported by the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, the state government has confirmed.
South Australians now eligible for COVID-19 Disaster Payment
South Australians under lockdown are set to be supported by the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, the state government has confirmed.
As the state returns to lockdown, the South Australian government has confirmed it will cover the cost of COVID-19 Disaster Payments for those outside a Commonwealth hotspot.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, SA premier Steven Marshall confirmed that following the declaration of a hotspot by the Commonwealth government on Tuesday, those affected will be able to access the federal government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Introduced earlier this year following a lockdown in Melbourne, the COVID-19 disaster payment goes out weekly in $600 increments for individuals that lose 20 hours or more of work as a result of lockdown. Comparable payments of $375 are made at a similar cadence for those who lose between eight and up to 20 hours of work.
Mr Marshall added that the state government will be extending this income relief statewide so that “country people will also enjoy the same benefits that the people in the hotspot declaration will be enjoying”.
“It is not fair for them if they don’t have the income support,” he argued.
As with similar arrangements reached in Victoria and NSW last week, the South Australian state government will match the income support payments for workers outside the Adelaide metro, Hills and Gawler areas.
“Our commitment will ensure South Australian workers whose hours are affected by the current lockdown will be supported, regardless of whether they work in Mitcham or Mount Gambier, Norwood or Nuriootpa, West Beach or Whyalla,” said South Australian state treasurer Rob Lucas.
“We welcome the ongoing support of the federal government as we work together to get on top of the current COVID cluster and drive the state’s strong ongoing economic and jobs recovery and return to the lifestyle that’s earned us a growing global reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world,” Mr Lucas said.
Importantly, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment does not cover workers who are receiving any form of social security or financial support from the government. This can be particularly problematic for low-income workers and students, who typically rely on a combination of casual work, income support systems like JobSeeker and subsidies to make ends meet.
South Australian Council of Social Service CEO Ross Womersley noted that when emergencies strike, “it is almost always those who are most vulnerable who are hit hardest”.
“We need to make extra sure that we have smart policies and government responses in place that don’t leave those people hanging. With South Australia now joining Victoria and NSW in lockdown, the numbers of people affected are growing even higher,” he said.
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