The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer has now declared the Central Coast a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support. As a result a $500 COVID disaster payment is available for eligible locals.
The payment is for people who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and can’t attend work as a result of state-imposed health restrictions lasting greater than one week.
Federal MP for Robertson Lucy Wicks said “Eligible people will receive $500 if they’ve lost 20 hours or more of work, and $325 if they’ve lost less than 20 hours of work.”
To be eligible for the payment, applicants must NOT have liquid assets of more than $10,000 or be in receipt of other payments.
Services Australia process these payments. Other payments that may be available to eligible people include Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment and JobSeeker Payment.
For more information and to check your eligibility for payments, visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid
Verified information sources: Media release Lucy Wicks MP. Services Australia website.