Yahoo Finance ACT eligible for COVID-19 cash: Here’s a state-by-state breakdown
Canberra joined millions of other residents in lockdown as of 5pm yesterday, meaning nearly half a million more Australians will soon be eligible for the lockdown payments.
Residents of the Australian Capital Territory, now a declared pandemic hotspot, will be able to apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payments from 20 August.
“Claims for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment for people in the ACT affected by the lockdown will open on 20 August,” said Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie.
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ACT residents who lose 20 or more hours of work will be eligible to receive $750 a week, while those who lose between eight and less than 20 hours of work will get $450 a week.
Claims will open next Friday, and the quickest and easiest way to claim will be through myGov, said Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds.
“There’s no need to contact Services Australia right now. When claims open on 20 August, you’ll be able to claim financial support back to the start of the lockdown.”
Canberra is the latest to join the growing list of regions across Australia that have been forced into lockdown to contain the highly contagious Delta strain.
Parts of Queensland also entered into lockdown earlier this month and will be able to claim their payments from next Monday.
Here’s a breakdown of which states are eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment:
NSW
As of 18 July, eligible residents across all of NSW are able to claim this payment.
However, since some areas in Sydney were locked down first (e.g. the first seven LGAs declared as hotspots) they were able to claim and receive the payment earlier than others in the state.
To understand exactly how much NSW residents can claim, for which dates and varying locations, Yahoo Finance has created a comprehensive breakdown.
Visit Services Australia for more information on exactly what NSW residents can claim depending on their situation.
Victoria
With the southern state's sixth lockdown now extended, eligible residents in Victoria are able to claim the lockdown payment.
However, there are different payment periods, given that Victoria’s fifth and sixth lockdown were only a week apart.
For instance, the specific lockdown that occurred between 16 to 27 July has been lifted – but you might still be able to claim payments for this period.
But since Victoria is in lockdown again, you’re officially able to claim your disaster payment for the August lockdown as of today.
Visit Services Australia for more information on exactly what Victorians can claim depending on their situation.
Queensland
Parts of Queensland have been in lockdown since July. However, as of 4pm Wednesday (11 August) this week, the Cairns and Yarrabah LGAs have been lifted from lockdown.
But parts of Far North Queensland and 11 LGAs in South East Queensland will remain in lockdown until 4pm Sunday 22 August, the Queensland Government has announced.
So this means what you can claim is dependent on where you lived or worked during the relevant lockdown periods.
Visit Services Australia for more information on exactly what Queenslanders can claim depending on their situation.
South Australia
South Australians have been lifted from their six-day lockdown that happened at the end of July.
So if you lost work between 21 July to 27 July, you’re still able to claim a disaster payment for this period.
But you’d better be quick; the window to claim your payment in this period is fast closing, and claims for this period will close next Tuesday 17 August.
Visit Services Australia for more information on exactly what South Australians can claim depending on their situation.
ACT
ACT residents went into lockdown just yesterday afternoon, so you’re not able to claim for the payments just yet.
You can start applying from 20 August.
Visit Services Australia for more information on exactly what ACT residents can claim.
What other payments are there?
Other than the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, there may be more payments you’re eligible for:
State isolation payments: For instance, some states provide a one-off self-isolation payment for those waiting for COVID-19 results to come back.
$1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments: If you’ve been specifically instructed by a health authority to stay home because you’ve got COVID-19, you’re a close contact, or if you need to quarantine for 14 days and you’ve lost work, you may be eligible for this lump sum.
Yahoo Finance’s comprehensive breakdown contains more about these payments and whether you’re eligible.
What if I’m on Centrelink?
After significant pressure from unions and welfare advocates, the Federal Government has provided a $200 boost to Centrelink recipients.
But you must have lost at least 8 hours of work to be eligible for the $200 boost.
Before the $200 boost was announced, anyone receiving any government income support, even if it was $1, was completely excluded from receiving the disaster payments.
What about business payments?
While payments to individuals will be funded by the Commonwealth, each state has offered their own business support packages, so what you’re eligible for will differ according to which state or territory you live in.
NSW: Weekly payments to businesses have been increased to $100,000 per week so long as they maintain their employee headcount. Sole traders are eligible for $1,000 weekly support payments.
Victoria: More than 10,000 businesses will be eligible for payments of up to $20,000 as the state battles through its sixth lockdown.
South Australia: A brand new package will effectively double the $3,000 payments that SA businesses were already eligible for. Meanwhile, Adelaide CBD businesses will get an extra boost of $1,000.
Read now: $250 or $1.5k in COVID cash? Exactly what every Aussie can claim
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