Thread by @lukehgomes

I will be tweeting social welfare stimulus announcements here. #auspol #Covid_19australia

Key announcement: The government has introduced a $550 “time limited” supplement to Jobseeker Payment, Youth Allowance (jobseeker), Parenting Payment and others. #auspol #Covid_19australia

Up to 5,000 extra @ServicesGovAU staff will be employed #auspol #Covid_19australia

Key announcement: a second $750 payment will go to 5 million welfare recipients and concession holders. Half of these people are pensioners. Money to flow on 13 July #auspol #Covid_19australia

Government is allowing people to tap into their super, releases won’t be taxed or affect Centrelink payment #auspol #Covid_19australia

Morrison says the changes are about “super charging the safety net”. He notes the time limited Jobseeker top up payment will double the rate

More changes to deeming rates

To sum up the change to #Newstart (Jobseeker Payment). They are almost doubling the rate for six months. Eligible jobseekers will get a base rate of $1115.70 a fortnight . #auspol #Covid_19australia

The government is also waiving the assets test and waiting period for the Jobseeker Payment, Josh Frydenberg says. #auspol #Covid_19

To be clear, the recipient getting the extra $550 a fortnight are those on JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit. Those who appear to have missed out include those on DSP and Age Pension

This is a KEY point from Scott Morrison. The $550 top up is not subject to earnings once people are on Jobseeker Payment. So you're normal base rate will be tapered based on what you earn, but you will get the $550 in full regardless #auspol #Covid_19australia #Newstart

For those asking, sorry to say that no Austudy recipients are not eligible for what the government is calling the Coronavirus supplement (the $550 a fortnight).

Here is the full list of payments that will get to you $750 stimulus payment

Carer Payment receipients (similar rate to DSP) also miss out on the $550 top up. Government says people who are "required to care for someone who is affected by the Coronavirus" can get jobseeker payment and thus the top up (presumably with job seeking obligations waived)

As some have said and I have alluded to above, the changes mean jobseekers will now receive more income support from the government than people with a disability on the DSP who are unable to work at all. #auspol #Covid_19australia

The new, boosted Jobseeker Payment rate will come into effect from 27 April 2020. #auspol #Covid_19australia

Some more important points.

Re eligibility: People cannot get Jobseeker Payment if they are receiving employer entitlements (such as annual leave and/or sick leave) or Income Protection Insurance #auspol #Covid_19australia

Re applications:

- If you don't have internet, you can claim over the phone
- You can verify your identity over the phone to apply (no need to go into Centrelink to get a CRN)

Also:

- you no longer need to provide: employer separation certificates, proof of rental arrangements, relationship status verification

- Job Seeker Classification Instrument assessments don't required

- you CAN get paid before making an appointment with a job centre

Re mutual obligations:

- Yes, still in place

- Exemptions without medicate certificate available for those with caring responsibilities or who need to self isolate (how this is enforced will be important)

- As previously announced, job search down to 4 per month

More below