What Aussies can expect as changes to COVID Disaster Payments kick in over the next few weeks

Following Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement COVID-19 disaster payments would be wound back as states hit vaccination thresholds, a senior Services Australia official has clarified what means for those relying on the payments.

General Manager of Services Australia, Hank Jongen, joined The Morning Show from Canberra to explain when the payment changes will come into place.

Find out about the changes to COVID-19 disaster payments in the video player above

“The important thing to remember about the current system is that, while lockdown continues payments are renewed automatically on a week-by-week basis,” he said.

“And that’s the first change that’s going to occur as each individual state or territory reaches 70 per cent of people over 16 being fully vaccinated.

“Payments will continue at the current rate at that point, but the automatic rollout of those payments will stop, which means from then on you’ll need to re-apply on a week-by-week basis if you continue to be out of work.

“So the rate will be the same but you’ll need to re-apply.

“Then at 80 per cent of people fully vaccinated, payments will reduce over a two-week period before stopping altogether,” he explained.

COVID-19 disaster payments will scale back as vaccination targets are met. Credit: Seven

Jongen then explained what the rates for the relief payments will be as the vaccination targets are achieved.

“At 70 per cent, payments will continue at the current rate of $750, $450 and $200 whilst you continue to be eligible.

“At 80 per cent the payment will taper off. If you’re eligible in the first week, you can apply for $450 regardless of the hours of work that you’ve lost or $100 if you receive a Centrelink income support payment and have lost work,” he said.

Australians on welfare through Centrelink will receive extra funds when 80 per cent vaccination targets are reached in their state or territory. Credit: Seven

What Aussies can expect as changes to COVID Disaster Payments kick in over the next few weeks
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