The Federal Government has announced that COVID-19 Disaster Payments will cease once certain vaccination thresholds have been met. Once this happens, you will no longer be able to access the COVID-19 Disaster Payment for income support.
If you are still unable to return to work or don’t have adequate income from work you may be considering applying for another form of income support from Centrelink, such as JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment.
The Federal Government has waived the normal waiting period for these payments for people who have been receiving the COVID-19 Disaster Payment within the 13 weeks prior to applying for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment.
This will enable people transitioning off the COVID-19 Disaster Payment to gain access to other social security support (if eligible) without having to serve a waiting period.
If you need to apply for further income support payments after the COVID-19 Disaster Payment ends, it is very important you apply within 13 weeks of receiving your final COVID-19 Disaster Payment in order to avoid a wait period.
If you want longer than 13 weeks, you may have to serve the wait period before you can receive any payments.
You can find out more about income support payments such as JobSeeker payment, here.
