Increased payments from Centrelink: Australians get job seekers, pensions and youth benefits, all to get extra money
More than 5.5 million Aussies using Centrelink and pensions will receive a pay rise as a result of the indexation and relief measures proposed by the Albanian government.
The increase will be implemented for recipients on September 20.
The increase due to indexation, which takes place twice a year in March and September, ensures that payments keep pace with inflation.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth explained how this impetus was critical to struggling Australians.
“Indexation is an essential mechanism for safeguarding the purchasing power of Social Security benefits and ensuring that they keep pace with the cost of living,” she said.
Over 5.5 million Aussies on Centrelink and pensions will get a pay raise as a result of indexation and government support (stock image)
“The higher inflation is being felt most in the homes of people on low fixed incomes and these payments are a lifeline for many Australians who are struggling or may need a little extra support.”
The increase comes on top of a permanent increase in the basic income support amount for eligible Aussies announced in the federal government’s May budget.
More than a million Australians will receive an additional $40 every fortnight. This includes 782,000 individuals receiving a jobseeker’s benefit, 222,000 receiving a youth benefit and 64,000 families receiving a partner parental benefit.
Single Australians with a JobSeeker and ABSTUDY payment receive an additional $56.10 every fortnight, bringing their basic payment to $749.20 every fortnight.
Those who receive an old age pension, disability pension and care allowance will also see an increase in their basic amount.
The single pension rate is increased to $1,096.70 every two weeks, up from $32.70. Couples get payments that go up to $1,653.40 every two weeks, up from $49.40.
Single parents will also no longer be cut off from government support after their youngest child turns eight, with single parental benefits now continuing until that child is fourteen.
It is estimated that approximately 57,000 families will benefit, with an additional $176.90 every two weeks.
Billions of dollars from cost of living measures and indexation will flow to millions of Aussies in two weeks (stock image)
The cost-of-living measures will cost the Albanian government $4.7 billion and will not contribute to inflation (stock image)
About 1.1 million Australian households with access to Commonwealth housing benefit will be supported by a 15 percent increase to the maximum rate – the largest in more than 30 years, as well as the September 20 CPI increase.
As a result, payments will reach a base rate of $184.80 every two weeks – an increase of $27.60.
Family payment recipients with one or two children will see their payments increase by $32.34 to $217.28 every two weeks.
The income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are increased each year to $95,400 for singles and $152,640 for couples.
The measures will cost the Albanian government $4.7 billion.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted that the measures were “what people need, when they need it most” in relation to the cost of living crisis.
“Whether it’s cheaper medicines, more support to pay the bills or a little help to pay the rent, these policies and programs are designed to take the pressure off in the toughest times,” he said.
It follows other measures introduced in July, including cheaper childcare for 1.2 million families, a 15 percent wage increase for 250,000 aged care workers and reductions in energy bills for lower-income households and businesses.