The federal government announced in a statement that from 10 January it would accept rapid antigen tests (RATs) as well as PCR tests from those who are seeking to claim the support payment.
✔️Individuals who have lost or expect to lose 20 hours or more will continue to be entitled to $750
✔️Individuals have lost or expect to lose at least a day of work or up to 19 hours will be entitled to $450
The Pandemic Leave Payment is also open to Australians who are isolating following being deemed close contacts and those who are caring for someone with COVID-19.
🔸 Eligibility: including not limited to -
you’re at least 17 years old;
you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia;
you’re living in Australia during your self-isolation, quarantine or caring period;
you’re living in Australia at the time of your claim;
you’re unable to go to work and earn an income because you have to self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine;
you have no sick leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person.
To receive the payment, individuals will need to have advice of a positive test from a testing clinic or health professional or now evidence that they have registered a positive result from a home-administered RAT with their state health authority
Each state and territory have implemented the same criteria for the distribution of Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments.
🔹A financial hardship test will also be introduced - with individuals who have available funds of $10,000 or more deemed ineligible - to ensure the taxpayer funded payments are targeted to those who need them most.
🔹Individuals will have 14 days from the commencement of their isolation period to claim the payment.
🔹Claims can be made using the myGov portal through an eligible Centrelink Online Account or if a person can’t use online services they can call 180 22 66 for assistance to claim this payment.
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