Yahoo Finance Centrelink may pay you early: Here's why
Aussies on Centrelink have been reminded about closures over the holiday period, which could impact payments.
Services Australia said payment and reporting dates may be impacted by the summer-time public holidays.
Over the holiday period, Centrelink offices will be closed on:
Monday, December 25, 2022
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Monday, January 2, 2023
“We want to help you plan so you still get paid,” Services Australia said.
“You may need to report your income early so we can pay you during these closures. We may pay you early.”
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What you can do to get paid on time
Services Australia said Centrelink recipients could still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report income, view reporting dates for the next 12 weeks, change appointments, apply for advance payments and request documents.
“You can also use our Express Plus mobile apps and phone self service,” Services Australia said.
“You can still report your income to us, even when we’re closed. However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday.”
If you choose to report early during your assessment period you will need to include what you expect to be paid for the full period.
“You must also do this for any other changes that may affect your payment,” Services Australia said.
“If you make a mistake, you can correct your report within 14 days, or when you next report.
“If you report after your assessment period, we’ll pay you after you report to us. You may want to do this so you can be sure of your employment income or changes to your circumstances.”
If you don’t need to report any employment income, you will be paid early. No payments will be delayed because of a public holiday, Services Australia said.
“An early payment is your normal payment, just paid early,” Services Australia said.
“Where we pay an early payment, we pay as close to and before your normal payment day. You’ll need to budget so this payment lasts until your next payment day.”
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