NSW COVID-19. Support for Individuals

 The impact of the recent NSW Covid-19 lockdowns and the extension of the current lockdown to at least July 31, has resulted in the NSW and Federal governments launching a series of support packages for impacted individuals and businesses.

Support for Individuals

If you can’t work because you or someone in your household is impacted by COVID-19, support is available. There are two payments accessible to individuals: the COVID-19 Disaster Payment; and, the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
How to apply for support
You can apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment and the Pandemic Leave Payment through your MyGov account if you have created and linked a Centrelink account (or phone 180 22 66).

COVID-19 Disaster Payments

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is a weekly payment available to eligible workers who can’t attend work or who have lost income because of a lockdown and don’t have access to certain paid leave entitlements. If you are a couple, both people can separately claim the payment.

Timing of the payment

The disaster payment is accessible if the hotspot triggering the lockdown lasts more than 7 days as declared by the Chief Medical Officer (you can find the listing here). However, from 18 July 2021, the disaster payment will be available to anyone in NSW who meets the eligibility criteria.

How much is the payment?

The COVID-19 disaster payment amount available depends on:

• How many hours of work you have lost in the week; and
• If the payment is on or after the third period of the lockdown.

 The higher payment rate applies if you have lost 20 or more hours of work per week.

The payment applies to each week of lockdown you are eligible for and is taxable (you will need to declare it in your income tax return).
* This payment rate applies if you have lost at least 8 hours of work per week or a full day of your usual hours of work per week.

Eligibility

The COVID-19 disaster payment is emergency relief. It is available if you:

• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or temporary visa holder who has the right to work in Australia; and
• Are aged 17 years or over; and
• Can’t attend work and lost income on or after day 8 of a COVID-19 lockdown; and
• Don’t have paid leave available through your employer (other than annual leave); and
• Are not receiving income support payments, a state or territory pandemic payment, Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment or state small business payment for the same period.

A liquid assets test of $10,000 previously applied to the disaster payment but was removed from Thursday, 8 July 2021.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is for those who have been advised by their relevant health authority to self-isolate or quarantine because:

• They have coronavirus (COVID-19);
• They have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19;
• They care for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19; or
• They care for a child, 16 years or under, who has been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

The payment might also be accessible if you are a carer for someone impacted.

How much is the payment?

The payment is $1,500 for each 14 day period you are advised to self-isolate or quarantine. If you are a couple, you both can claim this payment if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is emergency relief. It is available if you:

• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or temporary visa holder who has the right to work in Australia; and
• Are aged 17 years or over; and
• Are unable to go to work and earn an income; and
• Do not have appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or carers leave; and
• Are not getting any income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid parental leave or Dad and Partner Pay.

The payment is taxable and you will need to declare it in your income tax return. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, talk to Services Australia.

Eviction moratorium

A targeted eviction moratorium will be introduced to protect residential tenants who have lost 25% of their income due to COVID-19. Residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances.

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