If you have lost work due to COVID-19 Pandemic lockdowns or other public health measures (such as the need to self-isolate) you may be entitled to Commonwealth Government financial assistance through Services Australia.  

Currently, there are three different types of pandemic related income support payments available: 

COVID–19 Disaster Payment  

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment (Disaster Payment) is non-taxable payment available for individuals who have lost work or income as a result of a COVID-19 lockdown. It is available to people who currently receive a social security benefit/pension and to people who don’t already receive a social security benefit/pension.   

Eligibility criteria:  

In order to be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, individuals must:  

• be aged at least 17 years old;  
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a holder of a visa with work rights;  
• reside or work in, or have visited, an area subject to a public health order, such as a lockdown, and which has been determined by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot (or in another area outside of the hotspot where the state or territory government has agreed to fund the payment);  
• be unable to work and have lost income because of the lockdown;  
• not be receiving a state based Pandemic related income support payment, Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment or a state small business payment for the same lockdown period; and  

• have insufficient leave entitlements.  
  Payment Rate:   

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment has three different payment rates, depending on how many hours an eligible recipient was unable to work due to the lockdown and whether the person is already in receipt of a social security benefit/pension:   

• $200 per week for those in receipt of an income support payment who lost eight or more hours of work per week or a full day of their usual hours per week (what the person was scheduled to work including shifts of less than eight hours)  
• $450 for those who lost between eight and less than 20 hours of work per week or a full day of their usual work hours per week and who do not currently receive a social security benefit/pension  

• $750 for those who lost 20 hours or more of work and who do not currently receive a social security benefit/pension.   

Lodging a claim for COVID-19 Disaster Payment   

Eligible individuals can apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment by:  
 

1. Signing into MyGov

2. Selecting ‘Apply for Support from the Government, support for coronavirus’   

3. Under ‘Affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19)’ select ‘Get started’  

4. Select ‘Apply for COVID-19 Disaster Payment’  

5. Answer the eligibility and claim questions  

6. Submit claim.  
    

If you can’t apply online, or you the holder of a temporary visa with work rights, you can call 180 22 66, Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, to apply.   

You can find out more about the Disaster Payment here.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment  

A taxable payment for individuals who are required to self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.   

Payment Rate:  

The payment provides $1,500 for each 14-day period a person is required self-isolate, quarantine or care for a person with COVID-19.    

Eligibility criteria:  
In order to be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, individuals must:  

• be aged at least 17 years old;  
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a temporary visa holder with the right to work;  
• be unable to attend work due to:  

• being advised by a health officer that they or a child in their care, is required to self-isolate or quarantine at home because they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are a close contact of a person who has tested positive; or  
• caring for someone that has tested positive for COVID-19;   

• have expected to work during the period of self-isolation or quarantine, or while caring for someone with COVID-19;  
• not be receiving an income support payment or JobKeeper Payment;  
• not have received or applied for an equivalent state support payment for the same period; and  

• have insufficient appropriate paid leave entitlements or will exhaust those entitlements during the 14-day period of the payment.  

Lodging a claim for Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment   

Eligible individuals can apply for Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment by either:  

• calling Services Australia on 180 22 66; or   

• completing the Claim for Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – Victoria form and faxing it to 1300 727 760. 
   

You can find out more about the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment here:

Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (COVID-19)  

The Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (COVID-19) (NHE Crisis Payment) is a one-off payment for individuals affected by COVID-19 who are already in receipt of a social security benefit or pension.  

Payment Rate:   

The payment rate is equivalent to a week’s pay at the maximum basic rate of an individual’s income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance. It doesn’t include other allowances or supplements.  

Eligible individuals are entitled to receive a maximum of two Crisis Payments for National Health Emergency in a 6-month period. However, eligible individuals are only entitled to receive one payment per quarantine or self-isolation.  

Eligibility criteria:  

Individuals may be eligible for this payment if;   

• they are eligible for an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance from Centrelink; and  
• they are in severe financial hardship.  

Individuals must also either be:  

• required to be in quarantine or self-isolation in Australia; or  

• caring for someone required to be in quarantine or self-isolation in Australia.  

Individuals who are subject to state or territory lockdown rules are not regarded as being in quarantine or self-isolation if they are able to leave their home for a permitted purpose such as attending work, essential shopping or exercising.  

Individuals or the person they care for must be in quarantine or self-isolation because of advice or a requirement made by:  

• the Australian Government  
• a state or territory government  
• a health professional.  

Individuals or the person they are caring for could be in quarantine or self-isolation for reasons such as:  

• being diagnosed with COVID-19  
• being in close contact with a diagnosed case of COVID-19  
• having arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020  
• feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms including fever, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat and fatigue  
• waiting for COVID-19 test results.  

Individuals receiving the Disaster Relief Payment are ineligible to receive the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (NHE) (COVID-19)  

Lodging a claim for Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (NHE) (COVID-19)  

Eligible individuals can apply for the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (NHE) (COVID-19) by:  

1. Signing into MyGov

2. From the menu select ‘Payments and Claims’, then ‘Claims’ then ‘Make a claim’  

3. Select ‘Crisis Payments’  

4. Select ‘Apply for Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency’  

5. Answer all the questions  

6. Submit claim.  

You can find out more about the NHE Crisis Payment here.

Refused a Pandemic related payment?  

If you have been refused one of these payments, you may have the right to have that decision reviewed. We recommend you seek legal advice about your review rights and options as soon as possible. It is important to obtain advice, or contact Centrelink to obtain information about your options, as soon as you receive your refusal decision as there might be important deadlines to apply for review.   

If you live in Victoria and would like advice, or have other social security/Centrelink questions, you can call Social Security Rights Victoria, Monday to Thursday between 9:00am and 5:00pm (closed 1.00-2.00pm)  on 0419 793 652 to obtain information or book an appointment with a lawyer (subject to guidelines).  

If you live in another state, find your closest social security legal service here.

I am the Principal Lawyer here at Social Security Rights Victoria. I started working at SSRV in October 2020 and moved into the Principal Lawyer role in July 2021.  

I am passionate about providing access to justice for all members of the Australian community and believe community legal services play an integral role in holding government to account.  Access to adequate social security is a human right and I believe Australia’s social security system is broken.  

I also believe that through working collaboratively with my clients, colleagues and other members of the community sector we can create great and much needed change!  

I hope to help SSRV to continue to streamline its delivery of legal services to ensure we provide high quality, transparent, trauma informed and culturally informed assistance to members of the Victorian community in a sustainable and accessible way.  

I hope to help lead the organisation with courage and compassion every day and in all parts of my work.    

I grew up in Melbourne and studied law at Victoria University. Since being admitted I have practiced exclusively in administrative law in the community legal sector and intend on practicing in the community legal sector/social justice my entire career.  

Prior to working at SSRV, I practiced in refugee law and also spent a short period working for a not-for-profit foundation in London. I have previously worked in a project management role/coordinator role at a community legal centre.

I am also a mum to a bouncing, curly haired three-year-old and he, and all those in my life, will tell you I am a chatterbox. I look forward to working with and getting to know many of you.  

Earlier this year, the Senate Community Affairs References Committee began a broad inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension (DSP). This is one of several policy activities happening in the DSP space right now – but in our opinion it’s the single most important in terms of making the DSP a more accessible and fairer payment. 

The DSP is a key part of the work SSRV does, with close to half of all matters we deal with relating back to it in some way. Most of this is people seeking assistance with access and eligibility. With this in mind, there was no question we were going to contribute our knowledge and expertise to the inquiry in any way we’re able. 

SSRV is pleased to announce that our initial submission has now been accepted and published. That means we’re now able to share the submission in full. You can read it here (SSRV’s original and supplementary submissions are No. 90).

Through this submission SSRV hopes to highlight the problems with the DSP eligibility criteria – including the little understood Program of Support requirement – as well as the problems with the administration of the DSP. We also hope to amplify the voices and stories of those directly affected: people living with disability. 

Economic Justice Australia (EJA), one of SSRV’s peak bodies, was invited to give evidence at a hearing for this Inquiry, and extended that invitation to SSRV as a member centre representative with significant experience in providing advice, assistance and innovative services in relation to the DSP.  

On Monday 6 September 2021 Dermott Williams, Community Lawyer DSP Help Project, gave evidence alongside EJA’s Linda Forbes.

If you wish to speak to us about this Inquiry, please call us on 03 9481 0299 and ask for the DSP Help Lawyer. Mention that you are calling about the Senate Inquiry. 

If you are currently having difficulty with the DSP, help is available. You may wish to visit our DSP Help website or call SSRV. 

Social Security Rights Victoria Principal Lawyer, Emily Singh has been interviewed by the ABC about Centrelink raising debts against people receiving income support payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the report explains, many of the alleged overpayments happened when people were given overlapping income support by the two separate departments.

You can contact Social Security Rights Victoria and other welfare rights centres across Australia for assistance to understand the debts and options for dealing with them.

Read the article

Watch the news bulletin

The Disaster Recovery Payment and Allowance for people impacted by the 2021 Victorian storms and floods has now been expanded to include more local government areas.

The LGAs of Baw Baw, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and Wellington are now covered, in addition to Hepburn, Latrobe, Moorabool and Yarra Ranges.

If you were affected by the storms and floods you may be eligible for Disaster Recovery Payment or Allowance. You can apply until 31 December 2021.

For more information you can see our Disaster Recovery Payment and Allowance Guide and the 2021 Victorian storms and floods supplement to the guide.

You can also contact our Telephone Advice Line on 03 9481 0355. The Advice Line operates Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to12:30 pm.

In December 2020, SSRV, in partnership with Monash University, established the Social Security Advocacy Clinic, which has enabled SSRV to expand its client services and policy and project work capacity. It has also allowed SSRV staff an opportunity to develop clinical supervision and mentoring skills by contributing to the development of students entering the legal profession in Victoria.

The clinic provides Monash University law students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of social security law, and administrative law more generally, as well as deepen their understanding of economic justice issues.

Over the initial 12 week placement, the students were able to gain practical experience by assisting people seeking legal advice through the General Advice Line as well as undertaking legal and policy tasks, under the supervision of the clinical supervisor and SSRV supervisor.

Positive feedback has been received regarding the services provided by the Monash services.

“ I recently used the SSRV service for some clarity on a Centrelink situation I discovered had occurred,” said one client who was provided legal assistance by a student.  

“As someone who has a severe speech impediment and currently seeing a psychologist this situation was a major trigger in my physical and mental state.

“However, I was taken back by not only the assistance your service provided me but the calm and mature nature of the engagement.

“I was given plenty of time to explain the situation, and the agent provided me with some great advice and guidance. I cannot thank you enough as it really saved me from going down a dark road.”

Despite the various COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the second iteration of the clinic got underway in March 2021, with a combination of online and face-to-face learning.

Under the supervision of the clinical supervisor and SSRV supervisor, the students were able to provide 118 separate legal advice and information services through the General Advice Line, worked on 13 legal tasks and contributed to two policy tasks.

In the course of their work, the students were able to develop invaluable skills.

“Interacting with clients via SSRV’s general advice line was a fantastic experience that has opened my eyes to the breadth of social security law and the demand for assistance in this area from community members,” said one of the students.

“It was rewarding to know we could provide practical legal assistance those in great need.

“The SSRV staff and supervisors have exceeded any expectations I initially held at the start of the clinic. They have all been very helpful, engaging and encouraging, and have been willing to share much of their own knowledge and experiences with the students. Their leadership and guidance fostered a fantastic willingness to learn and grow amongst the student group.”

Building on the success of the first two Social Security Advocacy Clinics, in June 2021, the clinic commenced its third rotation with a new cohort of Monash University law students.

We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Monash University and look forward to working closely with the students to develop their practical legal skills and in doing so, expand SSRV’s client services.

We’ve made referring clients to SSRV and getting the word out about the services we provide easier than ever – with postcards and social media tiles for you to keep and share.

Download our postcards

DSP Help Project postcard.

Worker Help Line postcard.

General Advice Line postcard.

Integrated Services Project postcard.

Download our social media tiles

General Advice Line Facebook tile

Link: https://www.ssrv.org.au/

Copy: Members of the public can contact SSRV’s General Advice Line for legal information and advice in relation to Centrelink matters. (03) 9481 0355 – Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Worker Help Line Facebook tile

Link: https://www.ssrv.org.au/worker-assistance/

Copy: The SSRV Worker Help Line offers free and accessible services to social, community and health workers to help support their clients.

DSP Help Project Facebook tile

Link: https://dsphelp.org.au/

Copy: DSP Help is a free resource for DSP applicants and their support workers, to help them understand the Disability Support Pension and guide them through the application process.

Integrated Services Project Facebook tile

Link: https://www.ssrv.org.au/integrated-services-project-report-launch/

Copy: SSRV and Financial Counselling Victoria have a partnership to deliver the Integrated Services Project.

On 10 June 2021 Dermott Williams, Community Lawyer with SSRV’s DSP Help Project, ran a webinar addressing Disability Support Pension Eligibility, the challenges applicants face, and the resources available to applicants and support workers.

The current systemic activities including the DSP Senate Inquiry and review of the Impairment Tables were also discussed, with Economic Justice Australia’s Linda Forbes providing commentary.

If you missed the session and would like to catch it, or just want to watch it again, you can view the recording here:

SSRV would like to thank Economic Justice Australia and Community Legal Centres Queensland for helping organise, facilitate and promote this session. With their help we were able to bring this to a national audience.

Welcome to the first of SSRV’s regular newsletters. The newsletter will provide information about SSRV’s services, activities, people, issues and impact.

The uncertain and tumultuous times we have experienced over the past 18 months, especially arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and bushfires, have highlighted the fundamental importance of income support and of income adequacy and security.

Read the launch issue of SSRV News.

This Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3), SSRV remembers the importance of privileging and amplifying First Nations’ voices and we add our voice to calls for reconciliation and justice.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year, SSRV came together and marked National Sorry Day with Acknowledgment to Country and a short reflection on what it is like to be a members of the Stolen Generations accessing generalist services, reading an piece from a First Nations person, from It’s not easy walkin in there in 1999, a study just after the Human Rights Commission’s Bringing Them Home Report.

Read more about Sorry Day.

The theme of Reconciliation Week 2021 is ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.’ It urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.

At SSRV, we are working at making our organisation more culturally safe and respectful, and to better engage and respond to First Nations clients and community.

We are building our partnerships and listen to First Nations voices. In this way we hope to grow in our understanding and conduct to work alongside First Nations peoples to improve justice outcomes and impacts.

We are continuing to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan, which serves as a starting point for individual and organisational action, responsibility and reflective practice to inform continuous improvement.

SSRV believes we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures

Find a Reconciliation Week event near you.