The Government has announced a temporary COVID Disaster Payment to assist workers who reside or work in a “Commonwealth declared hotspot”, who are unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state imposed health restrictions that last for greater than one week.
Available for Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible working visa holders, recipients will receive up to $500 per week for losing 20 hours or more of work, and $325 per week for losing under 20 hours.
The media release states that the payment is available:
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to workers who have liquid assets of no more than $10,000;
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to workers who have exhausted any leave entitlements (other than annual leave) or other special pandemic leave;
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in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions; and
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to workers who are not already receiving income support payments, business support payments, or the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
Access to the payment will be available through Services Australia from 8 June 2021.
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Should you have any queries in relation to eligibility for the COVID Disaster Payment, please contact us on + 61 3 9527 5041.