Yahoo Finance $300 COVID payments offered to millions, but more miss out
South Australia will reinstate its $300 payments to people who need to miss work while they wait for COVID-19 test results, as the state continues its lockdown.
It joins Victoria in offering the specific payments.
The payments are open to people who don’t have access to paid leave or income support and have been required to quarantine, Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink has confirmed.
“We recognise that this is a challenging time for many people and especially for casual workers, sole traders and others who are unable to earn their usual income,” she said.
“It is vital that everyone who has been at an exposure site continues to come forward for testing.
“If you’ve missed a shift or cancelled a client booking because you were required to isolate while awaiting test results, you may be eligible for this payment.”
This payment will mainly flow towards essential workers who have been listed as exempt from lockdown, those who are not eligible for the COVID-19 disaster payments and international students.
In order to claim the payment, people need to have visited a declared exposure site, have taken a COVID-19 test and lost work that had otherwise been scheduled. They also need to be older than 17 and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Victoria offers $450 COVID-19 testing payments
People in similar situations in Victoria can also access a $450 COVID-19 test isolation payment, provided they meet the same criteria, but can also prove they reside in Victoria, or are a visa holder with work rights.
Victorians can apply for the COVID-19 test payment here.
However, New South Wales, which is now coming to the end of its fourth week in lockdown, is not offering a similar payment.
Residents in NSW can access the $375 or $600 COVID-19 disaster payments if they have lost at least eight hours of work.
Workers in Victoria can apply for the payments as of today, Friday 23 July.
Additionally, if you have been directed by a health authority to quarantine for 14 days due to a positive COVID-19 test, you need to care for someone with the virus or you're considered high risk due to exposure, you can claim the $1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
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