Whilst there has been a lot of publicity surrounding the grants made available by the SA State Government for businesses that have been adversely impacted by the current Covid outbreak, it’s important to remember that there are also payments available, in limited circumstances, to individuals.
There are two payments available to individuals in SA – the Federal Government Pandemic Disaster Leave Payment and the SA COVID-19 Testing (Cluster) Isolation Payment.
It is important to note upfront that the eligibility requirements for these payments are stringently applied and they are continually being tweaked. The below includes as much detail possible based on Government information available on 18 January 2022.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
The Panic Leave Disaster Payment is overseen by the Federal Government and paid through Services Australia – the eligibility rules around this payment changed on 18 January 2022. This payment is designed to support people who can’t earn an income because they or someone they are caring for has to self-isolate or quarantine due to Covid.
To get the payment the eligibility requirements are as follows:
- You have Covid or you’re a close contact of a person who has Covid
- You care for a child under 16 years who has Covid or is a close contact of a person who has Covid
- You’re caring for someone who has Covid, or you’re caring for someone with disability or a severe medical condition who must self-isolate because they’re a close contact of a person with Covid (you must be living in the same household as the person with a disability or severe medical condition)
- You must be over 17 years of age
- You must be an Australian resident or hold a visa allowing you to work in Australia
- You must live in Australia at the time of your self-isolation, quarantine or caring and still live here at this time of your claim
- You have no sick leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person
- You must have lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work
- You must have liquid assets of less than $10,000 on the first day of the claim period
You will not be eligible for the payment where, during the isolation period, you:
- Received (or will receive) any income or salary from paid work
- Received any income support payments
- Received the COVID-19 Disaster Payment
The payment amount varies and will be paid as follows for each 7-day period of self-isolation or quarantine:
- $450 if you lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work and less than 20 hours of work
- $750 if you lost 20 hours or more of work
The Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment has all the information required to work out your eligibility.
SA COVID-19 Testing (Cluster) Isolation Payment
This payment is for $300 and is available to South Australians who need to quarantine while awaiting the results of a PCR test and do not have access to any other kind of income support.
To be eligible for the payment, you must have undertaken a PCR test on or after 23 November 2021 and be required to self-isolate pending the results. You must also:
- Have been scheduled to work during this time
- Have no access to paid leave or other income support
- Be an Australian resident or holder of the necessary visa and work permits
- Be aged over 17 years
It is important to note that this payment is not available for people who already received Australian Government income support or for those returning from overseas. Rapid Antigen Test results are not accepted for this payment.
The SA Government website has further information www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/health-community/financial-support-for-individuals
An individual will only be able to receive one payment at a time so it’s important that the eligibility requirement for each payment is carefully considered to determine which payment is the applicable one.
If you have any questions, please contact your Holman Hodge adviser or go here.